A BRONZE statue near Tesco in Nailsea has been damaged.

Nailsea Town Council chairman said: "At this point we are not sure whether this is mindless vandalism or attempted theft but we have reported the incident to police."

The statue which depicts a glassblower shaping a parison in preparation for blowing a cylinder of glass, sits on the historic 18th century glassworks, and was commissioned to mark the town's history.

The near life-sized model stands on a plinth made from pennant sandstone called Nailsea Flats and was installed two years ago this month.

Half the money to pay for the artwork came from the developers, Tesco, and the rest was paid for by the town council.

Town council clerk Ian Morrell has sought advice from Barnstaple-based sculptor Vanessa Marston, who designed the artwork, on how best to repair the much admired piece.

He said: ""It looks like an act of vandalism but it is difficult to see how it has broken off.

"The key thing for us is the get it repaired on site as soon as possible."

The statue was in prime condition on Saturday afternoon but happened sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning.

The glassworks was established in 1788 and was one of the largest in the United Kingdom.