Fire crews have rescued a Waddle of Worcester penguin statue from the river Severn.

A four person water rescue crew from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service recovered the statue, named Kingfisher Azure, from the river bank alongside Chapter Meadows on Tuesday morning (August 20).

Three statues were reported as damaged collectively by a member of the public, including Starlit Journey and Percy, who alongside Kingfisher Azure had been broken off at the feet from their plinths on Bromwich Parade.

Kingfisher Azure was dumped into the river, and according to St Richard's Hospice, this is the first time it has happened during the three trails the organisation has held in Worcester.

The water rescue crew used an inflatable craft to reach the statue, which was trapped in the reeds alongside the river bank, and carried it back up to dry land.

Sara Matthews, business development manager at St Richard's Hospice and Tricia Cavell, the organisation's fundraising director, were amongst those who were first alerted to the vandalism and helped collect Percy and Starlit Journey early on Tuesday.

All three statues were then transported by St Richard's Hospice, with help from Crowngate, to JMB Polishers in Pershore for repairs.