VANDALS have damaged a stone carving of a dragon outside Taunton library.

The dragon, widely recognised as the county’s symbol, has had part of its face and right ear knocked off.

Grace Rayson, pictured, who works at the Taunton Information Centre, said she was disappointed to see the dragon had been damaged.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “The dragon on the front of Taunton Library was vandalised and unfortunately the dragon was broken into several pieces.

“The library service staff and Taunton Library users are upset this has happened as the dragon is a real feature on the front of the building.

“The police are currently looking at CCTV footage to hopefully identify the individuals who vandalised the dragon.”

Library staff been able to retrieve the sections of broken dragon and Somerset Library Service has approached the artist who originally sculpted the dragon to see if it is repairable.

At this stage, it is not known whether repairs can be made or what the cost involved would be.