The Gruffalo has made a return to a country park in Greater Manchester where a Fairy Tale Trail has been restored. Families were devastated when the character and seven other wooden sculptures were stolen from Clifton Country Park, in Salford , back in December. Thieves targeted the area overnight, taking a chainsaw to the much-loved Gruffalo, an owl, a fox, a fairytale house and more.
Read more: The best family parks in Greater Manchester They left just two sculptures behind - a house and a Green Man face - but these were later stolen too, leaving nothing remaining on the trail, which was installed back in 2017, at a cost of £5,000 with the help of the Friends of Clifton Country Park and had been enjoyed by thousands of children over the years. The sculptures had been stolen from the Fairy Tale Trail at Clifton Country Park (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) But now nine sculptures are back in place on the original route after being replaced by Salford City Council. Families are delighted to see them return, including mum Tracey Wilkinson, whose daughter Ember, now seven, has loved visiting the trail since she was born.
"We are over the moon they are back," she said. "As you can see, Ember has been visiting since she was born with it being on our doorstep. So the statues have been a memorable thing for her.
" Seven-year-old Ember has visited the trail regularly since she was born (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for neighbourhoods, envir.