The Little Mermaid to be replaced by the Giant Skull.

Copenhagen's famous Little Mermaid is leaving the city's waterfront, to be restored and prepared for its participation at EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.

The Little Mermaid will be replaced by The Big Skull - a replica of the early Homo Sapiens in China known as Jing Shan.

Much discussion took place before The Little Mermaid was chosen to represent Denmark at the event, it eventually being agreed that there was no better-known icon of Denmark.

The Big Skull sculpture is a temporary alternative to the little sea maiden, a modernistic selection by the city's new arts board, Radiant Copenhagen.

It is seen as a logical follow-up to the year of Charles Darwin and a reflection of increased interest in the the origins of man.

The replica of the Jing Shan Skull is now under construction in China.