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

Great Waddle of Worcester organisers have taken extra measures to secure its penguins by binding their feet and tails to the floor.

It comes after two penguins had to be removed from the trail because they were intentionally damaged, and two others were removed due to "wear and tear".

Waddle I Do Without You is one of the many penguins that has been tied.Waddle I Do Without You is one of the many penguins that has been tied. (Image: Newsquest) Another penguin, Dr Waddlecog of Worcester, also had a barrier placed around it when vandals deliberately damaged it.

The Great Waddle of Worcester trail is run by St Richards Hospice and it aims to raise important funds for the charity and awareness of its work.

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

The ongoing incidents have led to establishing the Penguin Patrol to show children how to enjoy the statues without damaging them.

SECURED: The penguin has been secured.SECURED: The penguin has been secured. (Image: Newsquest) A police investigation has also been launched.

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.