Shaun on the Tyne: Smashed sheep put art trails in doubt

The statues have been wrenched from their plinths and hurled on the ground smashing them, the charity says

A charity is considering the viability of its popular art trail fundraisers after five Shaun the Sheep sculptures were vandalised.

Dozens of decorated Shauns were placed around Newcastle on 19 July to raise money for St Oswald's Hospice.

However, future trails are now in doubt after some statues were wrenched from their plinths and hurled on the ground.

Hospice bosses said what was a "beautiful" project had become a "disheartening experience".

Forty-five of the colourful models bearing unique designs have been positioned alongside city landmarks and will be auctioned in October to raise money for St Oswald's.

One of the pieces had to be repaired after it was deliberately damaged less than a week after the trail was unveiled.

The latest statues to be badly cracked include one on Grey Street and two on Northumberland Street.

However, all the plinths are still in place and their app codes can still be scanned for those wanting to interact with the trail.

The sculptures' plinths remain in place and their app codes can still be scanned

Nikki McGuire, spokeswoman for the hospice, said the fibre-glass statues were being assessed to see if they could be repaired.

"The real problem is the repainting of the Shauns," she said.

"It's intricate and specialised and the cracks are so bad that making them look pristine ready for auction will be difficult.

"The trail is a beautiful, free, family experience which we do every three years but it is being turned into something disheartening for hospice staff.

"They are having to go out and collect the damaged statues and take them somewhere safe.

"It's time that could be better spent. We are seriously considering if another trail would be viable because of the extent of damage we have seen."

The statues have been left with huge cracks which are being assessed by a fibre glass expert

Organisers have also urged members of the public not to sit on the art pieces in case of further damage.

Posting on Facebook, they said: "Thank you to the members of the public who alerted us to their damage so our team was able to visit and take them to safety.

"To the many people whose photos we've seen online this weekend, sitting and climbing on the sculptures, please think before you do this.

"The damage you cause costs your local hospice money, wastes our time and breaks the hearts of everyone who has worked so hard on this project."

The flock of Shauns will be auctioned later this year in the hope the sculptures will raise thousands for charity

Created by Aardman, Shaun the Sheep is a popular animated figure from TV shows and films.

The art trail also features 70 smaller "Little Shaun" sculptures, painted by schools and youth groups, which will also be displayed in 13 flocks at indoor venues.

Previous art trails for the hospice have raised thousands - although its Snowdogs event in 2016 - which raised £367,000 - was also spoiled by vandalism.