Pirate sculptures have popped up along the Sussex coastline to mark the launch of Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge

The sculptures were installed by Walt Disney Studios under the cover of night and were revealed at low tide. The two-metre-high statues portray the new characters from the film: the crew of the Spanish pirate-hunter Captain Salazar and his shipmates Magda and Lasaro.

The figurines specially commissioned by Disney, stunned dog-walkers along Eastbourne’s iconic Birling Gap, Brighton beach and the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs.

The figures took six weeks to build and the intricate designs were painted and sculpted by hand, featuring life-like attributes with flowing hair and accurate costumes from the film.

Legendary Hollywood producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, commented: “The UK has always had a special place within the Pirates of the Caribbean history having filmed here many times. Therefore, it is a fitting tribute to have the fearsome crew of our terrifying new villain, Captain Salazar, descend on the shorelines of Great Britain to celebrate the launch of the new film.”