We became accustomed to seeing the larger-than-life pigs on the streets of Ipswich this summer but yesterday there was a surprise sighting of two of the much-loved characters at the marina.

Ipswich Star: The Old Custom House is in the background as the barge heads towards Neptune QuayThe Old Custom House is in the background as the barge heads towards Neptune Quay (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

Piggy the Sailor and Elvis Porksley were spotted aboard a barge as they travelled through the marina to Neptune Quay, ready to be officially handed over to their new owners.

Capturing the action from above was a drone, controlled by the crew from Sky Cam East and the scene created quite a stir on the dockside as passers by stopped to watch the action.

Alan Swann, managing director of Neptune Marina, was on the pontoon ready to greet hospice duo Laura Beardsall-Moore and Norman Lloyd and take custody of the porcine figures that he bought at auction last month.

“We really wanted the sailor pig because it is linked to what we do, we want to give him a new name and we are going to run a name the piggy competition at Christmas for our customers.”

Ipswich Star: The pigs head towards the pontoonThe pigs head towards the pontoon (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

Mr Swann, whose business has been based on the Waterfront since 1980, added: “We are delighted to work with St Elizabeth Hospice, they put Ipswich on the map with the Pigs Gone Wild trail and purchasing the pigs is our way of making a small contribution towards that effort.”

Mr Lloyd has dedicated much of the last two years to working on the trail and admitted now that the pigs have all been safely rehomed, he feels a little sad.

“We looked after them for a long time, before the trail and then the 10 weeks they were on the trail and then we had them back in our pigsty.”

He added: “We know they have all gone to really good homes and we are glad that a few of them will be on display so the public can still see them.”

Ipswich Star: Norman Lloyd with Elvis PorksleyNorman Lloyd with Elvis Porksley (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

Mr Lloyd continued: “It feels like Pigs Gone Wild has now come to an end.”

Neptune Marina have yet on the final resting place for their pigs, but for now Piggy will be on display in their reception area.

Ipswich Star: Aho there - Norman Lloyd and Laura Beardsall-MooreAho there - Norman Lloyd and Laura Beardsall-Moore (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)