Statue Of The Week (6)

A famous, if controversial, statue had its chips in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The four-metre-tall statue, a representation of the Spunta potato, a staple crop grown in the village of Xylophagou in Cyprus, was chopped down by vandals.

Nicknamed the “big potato” it has been a popular backdrop for selfies, although its shape has drawn some unwarranted comments on social media. Its creator, community leader George Tasou, stood guard over the statue until the early hours but then delegated guard duties to another.

Whether they were asleep on the job is not clear, but at around 3.30am it was found on the ground having been cut from its stand, causing damage estimated at £4,000.

It remains to be seen whether another statue will sprout in its place.