DAMAGE caused to three Waddle of Worcester penguin statues has been called "selfish" by the artists who created them.

Three of the city-wide art trail's statues, named Kingfisher Azure, Percy and Starlit Journey were found damaged along Bromwich Parade on Tuesday (August 20), whilst the former was also dumped in the river Severn.

Leicestershire artist Lucy Hebden, who operates under the name Lucy Loves Design, travelled 100 miles to Worcester with her partner and two children on Monday (August 19) just to see her design, Percy, the next day.

Mrs Hebden said: "I couldn't believe it.

"The irony is that we were sat in the Premier Inn, in Worcester, having breakfast just a few hundred yards away from where Percy was on the trail.

"Then I received an email saying he had been damaged - it was the one day we had earmarked to see the statue and my children were so looking forward to it."

Tori Woolley, from Norwich, whose artist name is The Pink Hare, designed Kingfisher Azure which had to be recovered from the river Severn by water rescue crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

Miss Woolley said: "It's quite heart breaking really. Not only was the statue thrown into the water, but it was the second time it has been damaged since the trail started.

"I wanted to visit Worcester for the first time soon to see him there and at auction."

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St Richard's Hospice has organised the Waddle of Worcester art trail, which includes 40 large penguin sculptures that will be auctioned off in October to raise funds for the hospice.

Mrs Hebden, who spent almost 30 hours on Percy's design, added: "It's very frustrating and very sad for the hospice.

"So many people have given up their time for this project, and it has a massive knock on effect. What has been achieved? The vandalism is incredibly selfish."

Miss Woolley, who designed Kingfisher Azure over the course of one-and-a-half months, added: "Not everyone appreciates the hard work and effort that goes into these designs.

"They don't realise that this damage has cost the charity so much money."