Third damaged giant Gromit sculpture in Bristol damaged

The Groscar Gromit has been taken away to be repaired

A third giant Gromit sculpture has been vandalised in Bristol.

The sculpture, called Groscar, was created by local artist Chris Taylor and was based in Thunderbolt Square.

The 5ft (1.5m) statue had part of its ear badly damaged over the weekend. The statue has been removed for restoration.

Inspired by the Oscars, Groscar is one of 80 sculptures placed across the city as part of a 10-week charity art trail - and the third to be hit by vandals.

At the beginning of July, the Poetry in Motion Gromit designed by Joanna Lumley had its tail smashed off.

The same weekend, the Carosello sculpture by artist Giuliano Carapia was prised from its plinth.

'Safety of Gromits'

Nicola Masters, director of the Grand Appeal, said they were "very sorry" that another of their sculptures had been damaged.

"Groscar has been removed from the trail and we have been in touch with the artist and are looking at restoring him," she said.

"We'd like to ask people for their help in keeping a lookout for the safety of the Gromits during the trail, by reporting any suspicious behaviour or damage to the police."

The 80 models of Aardman's famous canine character are due to be auctioned on 3 October to raise funds for Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal - the Bristol Children's Hospital charity.