A GIRAFFE statue has been permanently removed from an art trail after the sculpture was used as a battering ram to break into a city centre shop.

The giraffe, known as Dotty and designed by schoolchildren for the Worcester Stands Tall trail, was positioned between Crowngate and High Street.

It was taken off its plinth at around 3am yesterday (Monday) and used to smash the window of the Two Seasons store.

Clothes were stolen from the shop and the damaged giraffe was left lying on the floor.

The scene was cordoned off while a forensics team investigated, causing the store to close for a period yesterday.

A man in his 20s was later arrested on suspicion of burglary and was still in custody yesterday while the police investigation continued.

The giraffe was designed and decorated by the children of St Anne's CE Primary School in Bewdley. On the project website it is described as using "the school colours and values to create a mindfulness giraffe".

A Worcester Stands Tall statement said: "We are sorry to report that unfortunately one of our sculptures, Dotty, has been badly damaged. This means the sculpture has been removed from the trail.

"Unfortunately, she will not be returning to the trail but we are doing everything we can to make sure she is ready to go back on display at our farewell event at Worcester Cathedral."

The popular trail is due to finish on September 16, with the Cathedral event taking place from October 4 to 7.

In total, 30 large giraffe sculptures and 27 smaller 'calves' were placed around the city in July, and will be auctioned to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice’s Build 2020 appeal, to expand its premises.

The giraffe used for the burglary was one of the calves.

Mike Lloyd, centre manager at Crowngate Shopping Centre, said: “ We’re currently helping the police with their enquires.”

Nobody from Two Seasons was available to comment when contacted by the Worcester News.