TWO identical peace statues were unveiled at separate locations in Gwynedd during a Peace Run event.

Held on August 4, the figures - depicting Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy - were officially presented to the public by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas at Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor and Parc Padarn in Llanberis.

Having been welcomed by Treborth Gardens curator Natalie Chivers and once the ceremony had taken place, the runners then set off for Llanberis where a second one was to be unveiled.

Councillor Edgar Wyn Owen, Chair of Gwynedd Council, was then on hand to welcome the statue which has been placed at Llanberis’ Parc Padarn, near the Slate Museum.

The plan was approved for it to be by the lakeside but it was decided that it should be moved to the Parc instead.

"The peace statue is now in a much more peaceful location where it will be left alone and people can enjoy looking at it," said Cllr Kevin Morris Jones, who lives in Llanberis.

"Even the people who were originally opposed to the idea of moving the statue now seem content with the location where it has been placed.

"I think it blends in better with the surroundings and is in a much more suitable location."

The statues have been created by London based artist Kaivalya Peter Torpy, who was in attendance at both ceremonies.

Members of the public were invited to run, cycle or walk the distance from the statue in Bangor to its equivalent in Llanberis, a distance of around 12 miles.

Peace Run coordinator for Wales, John Evans, said: “For years, Peace Runners have been charmed by the Welsh reception. It’s been so generous.

"The Run has often come through villages, schoolchildren have run to hold the torch, while grandparents have offered tea and cakes. People have been so warm and friendly.”