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Noddy statue saved after council buys it for £500

Piccola A plastic figure of Noddy, he has a blue hat on and red shirt with a yellow and red neckerchief. Noddy is positioned on a pavement, he is smiling at the camera. Piccola
The statue of Noddy has been on Epping High Street for more than 20 years

A statue of Noddy has been saved from being thrown away after a council bought it for £500.

For more than 20 years the Enid Blyton character has sat in his car outside the toy shop Piccola in Epping, Essex.

After the shop's owners decided to retire and close up, Epping Town Council acquired the figure so it could remain part of the town.

Cherry McCredie, the town's mayor and Epping Town councillor, said: "All High Streets are changing and independent shops are departing. To lose the much loved Piccola as the owners of Noddy were retiring was bad enough, but to lose dear Noddy was even worse."

Epping Town Council The statue of Noddy is strapped to a luggage cart ready to be towed away. The cart is on the road and a number of shops can be seen behind it. Epping Town Council
Noddy was bought by Epping Town Council for £500

Piccola had been on Epping High Street for the past 58 years.

McCredie added: "At the town council meeting, [on] 14 January, we will be discussing plans for his new site, maybe even a great unveiling!"

Noddy's new location in the town is yet to be revealed by the authority.

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