A huge hippo sculpture has been installed at Nine Elms on the South Bank, as part of the Totally Thames festival.

The 60ft long hippo has been created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, and was built at the Royal Docks in east London.

The wooden installation will bob up and down with the tide, with its head poking above the surface of the water.

It will be at Riverside Gardens until September 28, covering the entire duration of the month-long Totally Thames festival- which will see a variety of cultural events take place along the river.

Mr Hofman said: “I am thrilled and excited to be using the Thames as the location of my first UK commission.

"The purpose of setting my sculptures in the public domain has always been to give members of the public a break from their daily routines, to inspire conversation and to cause astonishment."