'Beloved' puffins in Repair Shop makeover

A pair of puffins that stand guard outside a bookshop have been restored by the team at the BBC's Repair Shop after the owners asked for their help.

One fibreglass puffin has stood outside The Book House in Thame, Oxfordshire, for more than 50 years.

Luise Pattinson, who runs the shop with brother-in-law Brian Pattinson, said the puffin was "beloved of many throughout the generations" and with the help of local residents they were able to send photos and memories to the programme makers.

She said it was "like all our Christmases have come early".

Fat Puffin, who measures more than 1m high (3.2ft), was gifted to the shop by Puffin Books in 1972, as it was one of the few children's bookstores in the country.

But his condition deteriorated over the years through wear and tear, being knocked over, and a kidnapping by students in 1984, which left him dangling from the town hall by a rope.

A fellow puffin called Muffin joined him outside the shop much later, but she was lighter and frequently blown down the street in moderate winds.

Ms Pattinson said she was taken by surprise when The Repair Shop call came.

"I was away for the weekend and in an aquarium and emerged from the shark tank to a missed call," she explained.

"Luckily I rang back and it was one of the producers to say our application had got through the first couple of stages and she wanted to talk some more."

After arrangements were made, an "unmarked van appeared outside the shop" and the "puffins were bundled in".

She added: "A young man legged it across the road to me and said 'what have you done with the puffins? I can't believe it, have I just seen the end of The Book House puffins? Are you throwing them out? This is an outrage.'

"And I said 'no, no, no, they're on their way to get fixed and have a spa day'."

The puffins have now been renovated and returned to their rightful place outside the shop.

"Even though I've been a fan of the show since the first episode I could not have imagined the amazing job they did," Ms Pattinson said.

After the makeover the puffins even have plinths with wheels so they can be rolled along to prevent further wear and tear.

"No more lugging them in and out of the shop," Ms Patterson explained. "We wheel them in and out... on the shop floor it's like an episode from Strictly [Come Dancing]. They glide and they swirl."

Mr Pattinson said: "People who have been coming to the shop on a regular basis, they just love this new look that they have.

"They look resplendent in their new paint and colours and we're absolutely thrilled with them."

Ms Pattinson added: "The puffins are back and they're going to be back for the next 50 years, and they're shiny and wonderful and joyous."

The Repair Shop at Christmas is broadcast later on BBC One at 20:15.

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