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Gnomes that have brought joy to children for years have been “massacred” by vandals.

More than 40 of the figures from Echills Wood Railway’s gnome village, at Kingsbury Water Park, were beheaded or smashed last week, devastating volunteers and visitors.

Jeff Stevens, the railway’s general secretary, said: “It has taken us years to build our gnome village which gives the children and families lots of pleasure as they travel on the trains.

“We had nearly 100 gnomes of all sizes donated by children, the public and our members.

“It started as a little joke to home a few unwanted gnomes but as the collection grew the kids and families really loved it so we actively encouraged its growth.”

Although the destruction has come as a real blow for the dedicated volunteers who run the railway in Kingsbury Water Park, they are determined to not let it ruin the attraction.

Mr Stevens added: “Sadly, it will take us a while to build the village up again, but we will.”

The railway team became aware of the attack on Saturday morning while undertaking a routine inspection of the track.

Railway signs were bent, the track had been interfered with, and the head of the lone model crocodile at the railway’s ‘Crocodile Creek’ had been broken.

One of the park team said: “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”.

Despite the shock that people could cause destruction like this, the volunteers have had their spirits lifted by the outpouring of support from the community.

A post on Kingsbury Water Park's Facebook page shared the sad news of the attack and called for people to donate their gnomes to replenish the village’s population.

It was followed by a swift and passionate reaction from people who have visited the railway over the years expressing anger over the attack and offering to donate gnomes.

Mr Stevens said: “Sadly we do not have the ability or funds to fully repair our crocodile so if anyone has one they can donate please do get in touch, but not a real or stuffed one please.”

If you have a gnome that you would like to donate to the attraction, drop it off into the park shop by the entrance.

Anyone who may have seen people on the railway track in the evening of September 7, 8 or 9 is urged to call Warwickshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.