Gromit exhibition queue in Bristol reopened after closure

A queue to see an exhibition of 81 Gromit statues in Bristol had to be closed earlier when organisers realised nearly 3,000 people were outside.

The queue outside the venue on Queen's Road had to be shut at 10:00 BST.

Organisers said they had stopped people from joining for health and safety reasons.

The queue has now been reopened but people are being told there is no guarantee they will see the works which are to be auctioned next month.

The approximate waiting time at 12:30 BST was six hours.

The statues made up an arts trail in and around Bristol in the summer.

More than 3,500 people visited the exhibition when it opened on Wednesday.

The show has been extended until Monday in a bid to meet demand.

It is due to be open until 20:00 BST on Saturday.

The statues will be auctioned on 3 October to raise money for Bristol's Children's Hospital.

Visitors to the exhibition are being given the opportunity to place a sealed bid prior to the auction.