Peace and Love: Sir Ringo Starr to sell statues of 'iconic symbol'

Sir Ringo Starr has unveiled 500 life-size statues of his well-known "Peace and Love" hand gesture which he intends to sell online for charity.

The gesture is known as the former Beatles drummer's signature greeting and symbolises his message of "positivity and light" to the world.

He will sell 250 stainless steel artworks, each priced at £4,200, and 250 bronze pieces, costing £1,600.

He has also commissioned a steel monument of the symbol in California.

The statues will each measure is about 10ins (25cm) in height and will come with a certificate of authenticity.

Proceeds from the sale will go towards the Lotus Foundation, which supports charitable projects aimed at helping people deal with substance abuse, domestic abuse and homelessness.

Julien's Auctions, which will sell the works, said the "iconic peace symbol" was the Liverpool-born star's "signature greeting and enduring message to the world for the last five decades".

It said he had "delivered this message in many forms... from his annual request for fans to join him in making the hand symbol on his birthday to the... stainless steel statue dedicated to him in Beverly Hills".

"These artworks deliver this message of Peace and Love anew," they added.

Sir Ringo received his knighthood in 2018, and was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame as a solo artist in 2015.

In October, he was forced to cancel the remainder of his North American tour after testing positive for Covid-19 twice in two weeks.