Long paw of law to Paddington's rescue

TWO men have been charged with criminal damage after a Paddington Bear statue was damaged and stolen from a high street bench in the hometown of his author.

- Paul Jeeves

The sculpture was ripped from his seat in Newbury, Berks, at about 2am on Sunday, said Thames Valley Police. The force announced later that day it had recovered the artwork. A pink tent had been placed around the bench while police investigated.