TWO Zany Zebra sculptures has been vandalised just a day after they went on display in Southampton city centre.

Petty criminals struck in broad daylight, threatening to spoil the launch of the art project on Saturday.

A zebra in Above Bar Street, named Chris Cross, was ripped off its feet, pushed over and beaten, according to the artist who designed it.

Another was damaged in Western Esplanade as the vandals tried to tear off its shark fin.

Both have been removed from their plinths by Marwell Zoo, which runs the project.

Police appealed for witnesses and are understood to be reviewing CCTV from the area.

Chris Cross designer Will Rosie said he had been left "numb" and "beyond emotions".

Some 150 colourful creatures are being dotted around the city to raise awareness for an endangered species.

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Posting on Facebook, Mr Rosie said it would have taken "a few people" to push over the sculpture, which took 60 hours to complete.

The 43-year-old, from Shirley Warren, discovered the damage with his wife last night whilst going to find the four zebras he designed.

He said: “It’s all about getting the community involved, so this is quite a shock. Very little of my artwork gets damaged. An attack on the artwork is an attack on me.

“As a project there’s a lot of people saying 'why do you do it'. But even when things get damaged, you can’t not produce it, because it’s a beautiful thing for the city. You’re still improving the city by 90 per cent. I’m just pleased it wasn’t someone else’s work that got damaged. I’d rather take one for the team.”

The zebra requires fibreglass and tile repairs.

“Now it’s just a plinth so at the moment I’m calling it ‘the emperor’s new zebra,'" Mr Rosie said.

"Hopefully he will be back out on the streets soon after the trail starts."

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The second damaged sculpture, Snappy, was designed by Michelle Heron with a distinctive shark fin.

"It's still in one piece but hanging by a thread. It's got a big gash across it," said a Marwell spokeswoman.

The vandals damaged Chris Cross in broad daylight. Mr Rosie believes the sculpture was damaged between 6.30pm and 8.30pm but police said it could have been as early as 2pm.

"There would have been plenty of people around so if you did see anyone acting suspiciously by the sculpture please contact us," a spokeswoman said.

It is unclear when Snappy was vandalised.

James Cretney, chief executive of Marwell Wildlife, said, “Marwell’s Zany Zebras is a charity project and is the culmination of two years hard work with over 4,000 artist hours. We are hugely disappointed that an event gaining such immense community support should be jeopardised by the actions of a minority.” 

Passers-by in the city centre expressed their shock at the sight of the plinth.

Margaret Hosey said: "They can't leave anything alone in Southampton. What a shame. I think it's disgusting. Who would do such a thing?

"I think they're lovely, the kids love them."

The trail aims to raise awareness of the endangered Grevy's zebra and follows a similar project using rhinos in 2013.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44160261320.