TWO beautiful art sculptures at a Chester park have been attacked by heartless vandals.
The willow pig sculpture at the Countess of Chester Country Park had been carefully crafted by local artist Sarah Gallagher Hayes of Twig Twisters, and was funded by Chester Art Society.
But, for the second time, it has been a target for vandals.
The nearby willow sculpture of FoxyMcFoxFace has also been badly vandalised.
What the willow pig sculpture, designed by Twig Twisters, should look like.
The Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park wrote on social media: "This has broken our hearts.
"We have no idea why anyone would do this.
"So many people worked so hard to get this piece of public art at the Countess of Chester Country Park.
"We can only apologise to Chester Art Society who provided us with funding for it, to Twig Twisters who spent hours making it and to The Conservation Volunteers Mersyside for installing it.
"Thanks to Chester Round Table and all the individuals who gave so generously to have it repaired by Twig Twisters the first time it [the willow pig] was vandalised and to The Land Trust who were going to help with funding an interpretation board as to why he was there, and of course a big thank you to all those who care so much about the Countess of Chester Country Park and treat it with such respect."
What FoxyMcFoxFace should look like.
Community leaders have reacted with dismay to the news.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council Louise Gittins responded: "That's very sad and don't understand why someone would want to do that."
Dr Susan Gilby, CEO at the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust, said: "Pointless vandalism. So sad about this. Can we at the CoCH do anything to help secure a restoration?
"The staff at the hospital and many patients and visitors find peace and solace in the park. It's an invaluable resource."
The Friends group added the vandalism has been reported to police, and suspect the vandalism took place at about 6pm on Monday, with a group of teenagers seen in the area at that time.
Anyone with any information about the vandalism is advised to contact the Friends group at friends.coccp@gmail.com or the Park Ranger Neil on 07740 899716.
They are also urged to contact police on 101 as well, using incident reference number IML 1047276 for the willow pig and CIN-34516-21-0700-000 for Foxy.
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