Brazilian spirit hits town

It's not exactly Rio de Janeiro. So just what is this statue of Christ the Redeemer doing in a Wimbledon car park?

Actually, it is just passing through. Next week it will be moved to Selfridges for Brasil 40° - a celebration of all things Brazilian, including art, music and film. The real thing stands atop the Corcovado mountain, overlooking Rio de Janeiro and its beaches. It is 125 feet high, weighs 700 tons and took five years to make.

The replica is 46 feet high, weighs less than one-and-a-half tons and was finished in two weeks.

James Bidwell, marketing director at Selfridges, said: "The statue has been sent to us by the mayor of Rio to watch over Brazil 40° at Selfridges.

"The inauguration of the statue next week will be a fitting start to the celebrations."

The original Brazilian icon, made from soapstone, can be seen from anywhere in Rio and appears to embrace the city and its 10.5 million inhabitants.

The replica, created by Brazilian set designer Abel Gomes, is made of polystyrene with a fibreglass covering.

It took four weeks to ship from Brazil and arrived in five pieces. It will be transported to Oxford Street by lorry and erected in front of the store by crane in the middle of the night.

Selfridges hopes to auction off the statue at the end of May to raise money for the ABC Trust, which helps Brazilian street children.