LOCAL sculptor Sarah Coward has had her summer ruined by thieves at the CLA Game Fair.

Sarah was exhibiting at the fair at Ragley Hall near Evesham when one of her bronzes worth £2,500 was stolen last Friday morning.

Sarah, who lives in Mere, specialises in animals and birds. The stolen work, called The Tugging Terriers, was signed and bore the number two. The second of a limited edition of nine, the piece includes a polished granite base and is about 12 inches long.

"This incident really has shattered my confidence," Sarah said.

"I can't bear to think of all that work just being melted down for the metal value.

"It is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me, and I have been exhibiting in this country and abroad for the past ten years."

Sarah thinks the piece, which took months to craft, was probably stolen to order.

"They even removed the label from the display and moved one of my ceramic pieces and its label so that there wouldn't be a noticeable gap," she added.

Sarah will have her usual stand at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show on Wednesday 18th August.

"I don't think I'll be offering drinks to my friends on the stand this time because I won't dare turn my back to fetch the bottles," she said.

Anyone with information relating to the stolen sculpture should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.