A 37-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage after a giraffe from the Worcester Stands Tall project was damaged.

Damage to giraffe called Hive Mind, based in Sawmill Walk, took place overnight on Wednesday, July 11 after England lost their World Cup semi final match against Croatia.

Three brackets in the feet of the sculpture were dislodged but the paintwork remained intact.

Following the incident, the statue was placed in a pen for public safety reasons and to avoid further damage.

The sculpture was removed from the trail for repair work on Sunday, July 15 and returned on Tuesday, July 17.

The man will appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 16.

Anna Mitchell, who designed and painted Hive Mind, said: “As an artist who has created one of the Worcester Stands Tall giraffes, I am grateful my ‘queen bee’ could be repaired and brought back to the trail so quickly. ”

“I think we should look to the positive and look at the outpouring of love for the giraffes – and support for St Richard’s Hospice.

Sara Matthews, Project Manager for Worcester Stands Tall, said: “We have been kept updated by the police on the progress of this matter and would like to thank everyone who helped return Hive Mind to the trail so quickly.

“Damage to our giraffe sculptures is taken seriously and we would like to reiterate our plea for members of the public to take care of our sculptures.”

Another man admitted to knocking over a Worcester Stands Tall giraffe on The Cross.

Eyewitnesses watched as a man charged at the giraffe outside the Pret cafe and knocked over the sculpture on Tuesday, July 17.

The giraffe, called Gregory, had to be removed after the attack, and a photo of a man said to be the culprit has been shared on social media.

Speaking previously, a spokesman from West Mercia Police said: “A male has admitted damaging an ornamental giraffe at the location.”

West Mercia Police said this incident was still under investigation.

In total, 57 giraffe sculptures were placed around the city raising funds for the St Richard’s Hospice’s Build 2020 appeal appeal to expand its premises. For more information visit strichards.org.uk or for more details on the project go to worcesterstandstall.co.uk. Follow the trail on Facebook @WorcesterStandsTall and Twitter @WorcStandsTall.