Sadness as vandals damage dinosaurs on free trail
BBCAn investigation has been launched after model dinosaurs on a free trail were vandalised.
Roarminster in Warminster, Wiltshire, was enjoyed by families over the summer, but a brachiosaurus at Chinns Court had its head removed over the weekend anda cage around a T-Rex by St Lawrence Chapel was damaged.
Warminster town councillor Stacie Allensby said there was a feeling of anger in the town. "It was a fantastic event and did a lot for the town - we were hoping to do more events like this and somebody has just ruined it," she added.
The head was returned on Sunday but the council said it wanted to identify who was responsible. Wiltshire Police appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Roarminster was launched on 11 July and saw six dinosaurs placed in locations around the town.
There was a prize draw for those who completed the trail before its closing date on Saturday.
Lesley Blaine, who runs the Heart of Warminster community group, said it was "devastating" to see vandalism at what had been a positive event for the town.
"Not only is there the immediate impact of the disappointment for children who loved seeing the dinosaurs, there's the financial cost too.
"Long-term that may well mean initiatives like this won't happen again because the risk of vandalism will make it not viable financially.
"And that would be hugely disappointing. We need projects like Roarminster to keep our high street buzzing," she said.
Warminster Town Council said each dinosaur was being checked and secured, and some of the sculptures were being removed. It added that CCTV footage was being reviewed.
The council and Wiltshire Police appealed for anyone who saw the damage being done or who had information about the incident to contact them.
A spokesperson for the force said the vandalism was thought to have taken place between about 21:00 BST on Saturday and 09:00 on Sunday.
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