The much-loved Juggler sculpture has returned to the seafront gardens in Lyme Regis.

The sculpture of a juggling hare had to be removed from the Langmoor Gardens last year when it was damaged.

It previously stood next to the community garden but has now been relocated near to the Somers statue where the Langmoor and Lister Gardens meet.

It was unveiled this week by the artist Clare Trenchard and the mayor, Cllr David Ruffle, who was joined by other town councillors.

Clare said: “I’m thrilled he is back because he was originally inspired by the performers in Covent Garden and I feel he needs to perform. He has got this huge arena for his performance and he has got an amazing view.

“When he was here before I had so many people who would come to my studio and say they had seen one of my sculptures in Lyme Regis. It reaches a lot of people.

“He captures the imagination of so many people and I’m very grateful to Lyme Regis for taking him on.”

The mayor, Cllr Ruffle, said it was wonderful to have Juggler back and admired its ‘movement and fluidity’. He said: “I used to come up here in the mornings before work at sunrise just to take pictures of the Juggler with the sun coming up behind it.

“I always think it’s quite magical. To me, I always think of Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland when I see this and it’s so good to have it back because it’s a focal spot to the gardens and it’s wonderful.

“Clare, thank you so much for bringing it back to us."