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Christmas cheer went with a pop when a giant snow globe over the Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus deflated last night.

Shoppers near the landmark were surprised to see a festive downfall of snow descend on them, only to realise it was the polystyrene balls that were used to create a blizzard inside the PVC casing.

The 62ft inflatable snow globe was installed last month as a seasonal decoration by Westminster council and to protect the Grade I listed statue from vandals over the Christmas period.

However as gale force winds hit central London, the plastic covering bore the brunt of it and spilled out thousands of foam pellets across the pavement.

Casey Mae Reed, 31, from Hammersmith, said: “It was really windy and rainy at the time, and the snow was all over the place. The plastic sheet had blown over the statue and police were trying to make sure it was not hitting anyone.

“It’s really sad. I walk that way to work and see the snow globe every day. It’s a shame it has popped.”

The snow globe was constructed by ‘fabric structure experts’ Architen Landrell along with outdoor advertising agency Wildstone.

A Westminster council spokeswoman said the cause of the damage was not yet established and a team had been sent to secure the statue and investigate further.