Despite thousands more people visiting the Gromit Unleashed sculptures over the weekend, it hasn’t been the best few days for organisers with one sculpture vandalised and a collection tin in their Upper Maudlin Street headquarters being stolen.

Gromit Unleashed sculpture Groscar on Thunderbolt Square has been temporarily removed from the trail after being vandalised sometime on Friday night.

Witnesses report that one of Groscar’s ears was hanging off.

It becomes the third damaged Gromit after both Poetry In Motion and Carosello were targeted by louts.

In a statement yesterday, Gromit Unleashed organisers said: “We’re very sorry to say that overnight, one of our Gromit Unleashed sculptures, Groscar was damaged.

“Groscar has been removed from the trail this morning and we have been in touch with the artist and are looking at restoring him.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response to Gromit Unleashed and would like to thank people in Bristol and beyond for their continued support and enthusiasm.

“We’d also like to ask them 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, or calling the telephone number on the sculpture plaques or emailing us at info@gromitunleashed.org.uk.”

News of the collection tin theft came in this tweet from organisers yesterday: “To the person who stole our CHARITY collection tin from @gromitunleashed HQ on thursday 15th, we’ve reported your description to @ASPolice”

Groscar in happier times