City's new penguin sculptures vandalised

Two penguin sculptures featuring in Worcester's new trail have been vandalised less than a day after going on display.

Cracks made in the feet of the Waddle of Worcester's fibreglass figures were "deliberate", said a spokeswoman for St Richard's Hospice, adding it was a "terrible shame".

Kingfisher Azure at Bromwich Parade and Little Blue Makes A Wish at Cripplegate Park will now be repaired.

A total of 40 individual penguins and 40 chicks went on display on Monday to raise money for St Richard's Hospice.

Spokeswoman Clare Loveday said: "They are beautiful works of art that are designed to raise money for hospice care, so it's very sad when these things happen.

"Sadly it does appear these two have been deliberately damaged, which is a terrible shame.

"There is a cost to getting them fixed and the fibreglass repaired before we can get them back out onto the trail.

"We are a charity who is here to look after people with life-limiting illnesses so it is a shame we have to bear those costs."

• Listen: Sadness as penguin sculptures damaged

She said while visitors are welcome to touch the sculptures, they should be careful when doing so.

"We hold these trails as a thank you to our community who give so much to us as a hospice.

"We're delighted everyone's having so much fun out there and delighted for people looking out for our huddle."