While the text of a new plaque on Edward Colston’s statue is being finalised, a stark reminder of his role in the transatlantic slave trade has appeared in front of his statue in the centre.

The artwork contains dozens of figurines as if packed tightly into an 18th Century slave trip, with words around the side bringing slavery into the modern day, including sex worker, fruit picker, nail bar worker and car wash technician.

Thursday is Anti-Slavery Day, aimed at ending child slavery in the UK.

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Writing on Twitter, Alasdair Cameron said: “One of reasons I think this statue should remain. It creates a place for thought and remembrance, and that slavery was once considered quite normal in many societies, or that societies once felt one could be a slaver and a philanthrope… shows journey we are on.”

Josh Nesfield asked: “How does the city go about making this a permanent install? Makes it much, much more powerful than simple removing Colston from across the city.”

Read more: Proposed wording for new plaque on Colston statue revealed