A giant statue of Top Gear driver The Stig has been unveiled in Poland to celebrate the launch of new BBC Worldwide channel, BBC Brit.

The 24ft (10 metres) high statue has been positioned adjacent to The Palace of Science and Culture in the centre of Warsaw, Poland, after being transported on a three-day journey from the UK that passed through Amsterdam and Berlin.

The towering sculpture which stands arms crossed surveying the country's capital was specially commissioned to celebrate the launch of BBC Brit, a new male-orientated channel from BBC Worldwide which will be making its international channel debut in Poland on the 1 February.

The model, which is made from fibre-glass, took a team of three sculptors over two months to design, construct and paint. The giant sculpture of The Stig is equivalent in size to two London double decker buses stacked on top of each other.

Lead sculptor David Croswell said, "We took The Stig's famous crossed arms pose as a starting point for creating the giant sculpture - but we also watched hours of Top Gear to capture his characteristics".

"He's one of television's most enigmatic figures, so it was a real challenge to capture this fearless but faceless test driver who is adored by fans all over the world," he added.

Tim Davie, CEO BBC Worldwide and Director Global said, "The giant Stig erected in Warsaw is a fitting way to launch our new global brand BBC Brit".

"Our new channel will be the exclusive home of brand new Top Gear, the world's most popular shows. For the very first time from launch, BBC Brit will bring Polish viewers closer to the action than ever before, with premiere episodes airing on the channel the same day as the UK," he added.

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