Sri Lankan men willing to be immortalised in fibre-glass are being sought by an East Yorkshire sculptor.

Chris Wormald, who runs Pocklington-based Osiris Sculptures, needs Sri Lankans to help him give as authentic as possible a look to figures which make up part of an elaborate display which is being shipped to Dubai, in the Middle East, next month.

The Children's City Museum there has ordered the life-size models, which include human figures, as well as camels, an elephant, flamingos and goats, for a parade scene for the traditional summer festival of Perahera.

"There's not a great deal of difference between the features of an Indian face and a Sri Lankan face, but the clients have specifically asked that the figures are modelled on Sri Lankans," said Mr Wormald.

The models are sculpted in clay and then cast in fibreglass.

Other interesting features of the display include a six-metre globe and a large mouth that visitors can walk inside.

Mr Wormald, 44, who runs the firm with his wife Annetta, 43, has already made contact with some Sri Lankans but is keen to hear from more. He also has an Eskimo figure which he needs a model for.

Anyone who can help should call Mr Wormald on 01759 306638.

Updated: 08:37 Tuesday, August 14, 2001