FANS of Delamere Forest’s popular Gruffalo sculpture will have to wait a little while longer for his return to Delamere Forest.

Forestry England – which looks after the forest near Northwich – announced in November 2021 that its sculpture of the children’s book character would be removed from its Gruffalo trail.

A statement at the time read: “Our Gruffalo sculpture at Delamere Forest has been enjoying cuddles and photo opportunities for many years.

“It is a much-loved feature of our forest but as it is made of natural materials and has been outside for so long it has now been removed. 

“We know how much our visitors love him and he will be back.

"In the meantime we have decided to install some of his friends to keep you company.

“Head to the walking trails from the visitor centre and have fun hunting for them all.”

Ten months on and Forestry England have confirmed there is not yet a definite date for when the Gruffalo will be reinstalled.

Fans will need to be patient and wait for his ‘terrible tusks, and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws’ to make a return.