Queen of Welsh resorts loses its queen

A bronze of Queen Victoria which overlooked Llandudno pier for more than a century has vanished from its plinth.

Erected in 1887, it has survived two world wars, one cold war and the Covid-19 pandemic.

But on Thursday Llandudno council noticed the 138-year-old bust was no longer sitting pride of place.

North Wales Police said it was investigating.

A Llandudno councillor, Rob Atenstaedt, feared the statue had been nabbed by thieves intent on melting it down for scrap.

"Llandudno is the queen of Welsh resorts and it has lost its queen," he said.

"It has disappeared and the town council has let North Wales Police know that it might be melted down, because bronze is quite expensive.

"It would be quite sad if we lost it, it is an important part of our heritage."

He said he believed it had been taken previously as a prank and found on the Great Orme.

"But this seems different," he added.

The bust was located in the town's Happy Valley ornamental garden and its plinth has also been damaged.

Atenstaedt said: "It's a symbol of the town I suppose. Queen Victoria has been looking down for more than 130 years watching it develop and change."

He feared a lack of CCTV meant what happened may remain unknown, adding: "It's in quite an isolated area, the garden.

"There is a cafe there but it is only open during normal hours.

"After hours there is no-one that would see anything unless they happened to be going for a walk."