Hunt for Arran seal sculpture washed away in storm

Clyde, pictured on the left, has disappeared before and on one occasion was found on Turnberry beach

Residents on the Isle of Arran have launched an appeal to find a wooden seal statue that was washed away during Storm Isha.

The seal has disappeared and been returned several times before and has ended up as far away as Troon and Turnberry.

Locals from the village of Corrie, where Clyde the seal is located, are said to be "bereft" at the news.

The nearby Corrie Hotel said he was "sorely missed" and even offered a stay in the hotel for the person who finds him.

The hotel said that the seal had been a "focal point of the village" for many years.

It was made by Marvin Elliot, a local carver and sculptor, and it is believed that this is the second model of Clyde to wash away.

The seal was fixed in place by a metal rod and has been there since 2008.

Clyde usually sits on top of a boulder close to The Corrie Hotel's beer garden.

A spokesperson for the hotel said: "We really hope he can be found somewhere soon and returned to his rightful place."

The hotel added that the coast along from the village has been searched recently "to no avail".

Clyde had been on display in the village of Corrie, close to The Corrie Hotel

Rodger Meadows is one of the owners of The Corrie Hotel, alongside his partner Andrew Garbutt.

He said the storms recently had been "absolutely wild" and they do not know whether Clyde will have "survived".

"The storms recently have been the worst the village elders can remember in their lifetime."

He added that people often mistake Clyde for a real seal.

Clyde has has been in place since 2008

"Nearly everybody that comes through the village will stop their cars, go into their car boots and get cameras and binoculars out and stand there taking photos.

"Then when it doesn't move after five or so minutes, they realise it's a carving, not a real seal."

Marvin Elliott, who carved Clyde, is already planning to make a replacement. If they do get the original one back, it means they will have one reserved.

"He asked last week if we would like him to make us a new one and we obviously said yes," sad Mr Meadows who still hopes Clyde will be found close by, safe and sound.