CUSTOMERS at a country pub were in for a treat over the Easter weekend, and it wasn’t of the chocolate variety, as one of last summer’s popular Gromit statues made a special spring appearance.

Antique Rose, the fibreglass figurine painted in Cath Kidston’s first ever print for last year’s trail around greater Bristol, was lent to the Beaufort Arms in Hawkesbury Upton for the double Bank Holiday weekend.

Yate Supplies, which snapped up the five-foot Gromit for £30,000 in October’s hugely successful charity auction, let the pub borrow the statue for the weekend to help raise more funds for the Grand Appeal, which is supporting Bristol Children’s Hospital.

The visitor to the pub comes after the Beaufort Arms had its own Gromit, Harmony, in residence fo the whole of last summer and raised £7,500 for the cause.

Mark Steeds, landlord at the Beaufort Arms, said: “It was so lovely to have a Gromit back again, we had really missed it.

“We are so very grateful to Yate Supplies. It was the result of a chance meeting with managing director Derek Aston and we can’t thank them enough.”

Over the Easter weekend, colouring competitions were held for children and knitted Gromits, made by pub regulars, were sold off. Donations were also accepted in collection tins and so far the pub has counted more than £240 for the Grand Appeal.

Added Mr Steeds: “It has been a real community effort once again and it is lovely to be involved.

“The Grand Appeal is such a good cause.”

Mr Steeds said he was hoping to get involved in the 2015 Shaun the Sheep trail due to be held in and around Bristol.