Attempted theft foiled

An attempt to steal Eric Morecambe's statue has been foiled.

Officers were called after someone cut through the legs of the metal statue at the Lancashire resort from which the comic took his name.

The rest of the artwork was taken away in a council van for subsequent repairs.

A 32-year-old man from Morecambe has been arrested on suspicion of attempted theft and remains in custody.

Mark Cullinan, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, told the Lancaster Guardian: 'When we got to the site it was clear someone had sawed through most of Eric’s leg and then left him like that.'

The council will now work with sculptor Graham Ibbeson to reinstate the statue 'as soon as possible'.

Sgt John Bond said: 'We are in the early stages of our investigation and I would urge anyone who may have seen what happened or has any information to get in touch with police on 101.'

The statue was unveiled by the Queen in 1999.

Published: 11 Oct 2014