An appeal for the return of the “Ilford Mammoth” has been launched, coinciding with celebrations at the weekend to commemorate 150 years since the discovery of a mammoth’s skull.

The event will be held on the steps of Redbridge Town Hall, in High Road, Ilford, where a replica of the skull will be proudly presented.

Organiser Wilson Chowdhry, said: “Few people in Redbridge are knowledgeable on the great prehistory that has originated from our borough and this will be a great chance for them to find out more about what is around them.”

Amateur geologists John Gibson, Antonio Brady and Richard Payne Cotton recovered what was left of the mammmoths’ bones and skull in 1951, near Ilford Lane.

The “Ilford mammoth” is now at the Natural History Museum in London.

But the East Ilford Betterment Partnership have launched an appeal to “Bring Monty the Mammoth home”, which will raise funds to help bring a replica of the mammoth skull permanently to Ilford.

Wilson said: “We want people to see what has been discovered right under their noses and I think a replica of the mammoth skull will do just this.”

The two day celebration will mark the occasion with international food stalls, clay workshops, quizzes, as well as a special performance from comical singer Si Genaro who appeared on BBC’s The Voice earlier this year.

He said: “This is one of the few things that have made me really excited this year so it is brilliant that I’ve been asked to take part.

“I’m also going to try and write my own song especially for the mammoth and the people of Ilford but you’re just going to have to wait until then to hear it!”

To donate visit eastilfordbettermentpartnership.org.

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