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Gnome ‘massacre’ sparks weekly newspaper campaign

A garden gnome ‘massacre’ prompted a weekly newspaper to launch a campaign to replace the vandalised models.

The Tamworth Herald has appealed to readers to donate new gnomes after yobs destroyed more than 40 on display at Kingsbury Water Park, an attraction on its patch.

The Herald has launched the campaign, dubbed ‘Operation Gnome Home’, by donating its own gnome Harold to the cause.

Harold is described as the newspaper’s ‘gnome affairs correspondent’ and carries a miniature copy of the Herald with him.

Harold, pictured right, the Tamworth Herald's gnome, has been donated to Kingsbury Water Park

Harold, pictured right, the Tamworth Herald’s gnome, has been donated to Kingsbury Water Park

In a message to readers, editor Gary Phelps said: “The Herald news team were devastated to hear of the gnome attacks, as was our resident gnome Harold, who immediately moved into Gnome Village to provide moral support.

“Please don’t leave our gnome alone – drop some friends for him into our office on Ventura Park and we will make sure they are safely delivered to Kingsbury.”

Members of a miniature railway which runs through the park discovered the devastation while conducting a routine track inspection.

Trackside signs had been attacked, track interfered with and a model crocodile had its head broken.

One of the park team told the Herald: “It looks like a gnome massacre, it’s such a shame people have to act like this and take away something that gives so much pleasure”.

Police are investigating the incident.