ONE of the toads from a charity trail has been returned after it went missing from the town centre.
The Patchwork Toad outside of The Brewhouse in Taunton was removed over the weekend by 'someone unknown'.
Taunton Toad Trail has been organised to coincide with the 60 anniversary this year of The League of Friends of Musgrove Park Hospital.
Profits from the trail will be used to fund improvements at the Bracken Birthing Centre at Musgrove, a new birthing pool and improved facilities at the hospital.
The 22 toads have been sponsored by local businesses and organisations and have been placed around the town.
Families from Taunton and beyond have been discovering the toads along the trail, but a 'small minority' of people have attempted to spoil the fun.
Reader photo sent in by Susie Thomas of her family enjoying the Patchwork Toad
Peter Renshaw, one of the organisers, said: "Patchwork Toad is back in place having been removed from his plinth over the weekend by someone unknown.
"All the feedback about the toads has been very positive, and many people have commented on their favourite toad having done the trail, so it was very disappointing that a very small minority have tried to spoil the enjoyment of many people especially young families.
"There have been a couple of incidents when someone has tried to remove the toads from their plinths."
The trail will run until Friday, September 13, so there's still time to enjoy the summer activity.
Mr Renshaw added: "With only a couple of weeks to go until the toads will be moved from their locations we hope people will visit the different sites and support the League of Friends Musgrove Park Hospital 60th Anniversary Appeal.
"This is to refurbish Bracken Birthing Centre.
"People can do this by not only buying a trail map but also purchasing colouring books, pencils, cards, notepads and other merchandise.
People not wishing to do the trail but to support the appeal can send a donation to The Treasurer; League of Friends Musgrove Park Hospital; Church Barns Hockworthy, Wellington TA21 0NW or donate via the Taunton Toads app."
At the end of the summer trail, the toads that haven't been bought by their sponsors will be auctioned off.
The sale will be run by Greenslade Taylor Hunt, the first company to order a toad.
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