FOUR damaged Waddle of Worcester penguins that were removed for repairs have returned to the trail.

Two penguins, Kingfisher Azure and Little Blue Makes a Wish were both taken away the day after opening after deliberate damage to the pair.

Blue Penguin and Picasso Penguin were also taken off display after wear and tear left both in need of repairs.

The Waddle of Worcester event has proved popular, with over 140,000 penguins logged since the event launched on Monday, July 22.

The return of the quartet means all 80 penguins are back on the trail.

The city's penguin sculptures have since been reinforced with ties after several were damaged since the trail began.

Organisers have taken extra measures to secure its penguins by binding their feet and tails to the floor.

The Great Waddle of Worcester trail is run by St Richards Hospice and it aims to raise important funds for the charity with an auction at the end of the event as well as raise awareness of its work.

But, it costs the hospice hundreds of pounds to mend each damaged penguin.

The ongoing incidents have led to St Richard's and Crowngate establishing the Penguin Patrol to show children how to enjoy the statues without damaging them.

A fifth statue, Dr Waddlecog of Worcester, has had a barrier placed around it after vandals pulled it apart.

Police have now launched an investigation into the damage.

A spokesperson for Waddle of Worcester said: "We run these trails as a thank you to our amazing local community who give so much to us at St Richard's Hospice.

"Trails also provide much-needed funds for our care, funds which we now need to divert to cover repair bills.

"If anyone has specific information about the damage caused to these sculptures, please call 101 or contact West Mercia Police online using the following crime reference number: 22/64532/24."

The waddle follows the charity’s hugely successful elephant and giraffe trials in 2018 and 2021, which, combined, raised more than £700,000 for St Richard’s. 

Trail maps are available from Worcester Tourist Information Centre, St Richard’s Hospice shops and the trail’s pop-up shop at 14 Chapel Walk, Crowngate Shopping Centre.