A MEMORIAL goose statue which caused widespread outcry when it mysteriously vanished from a roundabout has today returned.

Villagers in Bishops Waltham were stunned and upset when the ceramic suddenly disappeared from its usual spot at Winchester Road roundabout.

Today the statue is back in the village after being mysteriously returned overnight in the wake of a wild goose chase to find it.

Now the grateful owner of the ceramic – which is tribute to notorious feathered villager Davina the goose – says the statue is being kept firmly under lock and key.

But he reveals he is on the verge of making the statue a permanent fixture at the roundabout.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Neil Cornmell bought the model in memory of Davina who was famous for holding up traffic and attacking cars, prompting complaints and admiration in equal measure.

But the statue disappeared on Friday last week – sparking uproaramongst villagers and upsetting local school children and leading to thousands of people to take to social media in the hunt to find her.

Local businesses also joined the search with one trader putting up ‘Wanted’ signs outside his store.

But Mr Cornmell awoke this morning to find the statue in its former spot after his family were alerted by text message.

The 45-year-old, who owns Waltham Black Chimney Sweeping, said: “We are really pleased she is back. Everyone’s made up that the puzzle is solved. The mums and kids loved her and they were really upset when she had gone.”

He said she had been taken back inside while he waits for the green light from Bishops Waltham Parish Council for him to set her on a permanent concrete stand there.

He added: “If she was out there again there would be too much temptation for someone to take her again.

“We are not sure what happened but we heard a local bobby paid someone a visit.”

After the original Davina was relocated to Denmead Poultry, owner Andrew Rafferty revealed she was really a male. She is now known as David.