Uri Geller's giant spoon gorilla set to stay in Shropshire
A huge gorilla made entirely from spoons could stay in Shropshire permanently, after its owner Uri Geller left the UK to return to his home county.
The 68-year-old entertainer, known for his spoon and mind bending abilities, has moved from his home on the Thames near Windsor back to Israel.
But he has left behind a controversial red spoon sculpture and the foot gorilla that he had commissioned from Shropshire's British Ironworks.
An appeal for spoons brought in 40,000 that were used to make the King Kong style gorilla created at the company's Oswestry headquarters by sculptor, Alfie Bradley.
The sculpture had been destined for Geller's Berkshire home but also become a tourist attraction in its own right touring county shows. Drivers have been amazed to see the gorilla in its own cage being transported on the roads of the region.
Now the gorilla is on a tour of hospices and hospitals in the Midlands as its future is decided.
After visiting the Royal Shropshire Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital the gorilla will be on its way to hospitals in Dudley, Brierley Hill and onto Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Clive Knowles, chairman of the British Ironwork Centre, said "From the outset, our greatest wish for this project has been that as many children as possible have the opportunity to be amazed and delighted by the Spoon gorilla."
"We have not heard from Mr Geller about his wishes for the spoon gorilla, but I don't think that the British Ironworks will be shipping it to Israel."
As well as the gorilla Mr Geller has left a storm of controversy in his wake, in the shape of a twisted red spoon on the Thames path close to his UK home in Sonning-on-Thames.
He maintains that he was told he had permission to put up the spoon. However local residents - including film star George Clooney, who has a mansion nearby, say it was installed without planning permission.
