HUNDREDS of residents have been sharing their memories of a popular statue after it was stolen from a hugely-popular Billericay park.

The Child in the Park statue, in a secret garden in Lake Meadows, was a memorable port of call for many people who visited the park.

Sadly, in February the statue was stolen overnight from its plinth, sparking an outpouring of anger at the callous crime.

A fundraising page set up by the Friends of Lake Meadows has already raised more than £700 for a replacement.

Emma Waldron, 42, of Laindon, regularly visited the park with her daughter Olivia Merrell and was devastated to hear the sculpture had been stolen.

She said: “I was genuinely upset when I heard about the Child in the Park statue and everyone I’ve talked to about it has the same reaction.

“It seems strange to think a bronze statue can stir up that sort of emotion, but it does and it’s because of what it has represented over the years to countless families.

“I have taken my daughter and two sons to the children’s garden in Lake Meadows over the years so many times. I have so many lovely memories of sitting in the garden on the bench while they ran around and played hide and seek near what they always called ‘the mermaid statue’ and of spending early summer mornings when there’s hardly anyone over the park, just enjoying the peace.

“I remember meeting a woman once in the garden who told me she regularly goes there to sit and think as it brought back memories of her grandchild who had died. “This is such a special place for so many people and the statue is the heart of garden. Why someone would take it is beyond comprehension. This isn’t theft, it’s sacrilege to a lot of people who use and love Lake Meadows.

“I hope they replace it and I would be happy to donate towards a replacement, but it’s depressing to think that it’s getting to the point where some sort of security measures will have to be installed to prevent this from happening again.

“Whatever price the thieves have got will never equate to the wider value of this beautiful sculpture.”

Other people have left messages along with their donations to express their sorrow.

Stuart Parnaby said: “Such a fantastic park - we are privileged to have it.

“The statue was an integral part and we are all very sad that it’s gone.”

Lynda Van Veen added: “For our grandchildren Emma & Jack.

“Lake Meadows will always be a special place for our family and although it’s sad ‘the child’ is no longer there, we look forward to seeing what happens next.”

Another person posted: “Happy to contribute to having the statue replaced. My children have had a lot of fun playing in the garden and spotting all the animals round the statue.”

The statue had been in the park for 17 years, and was a gift from Billericay Early Years Forum which wanted to give a gift from the children of the past and present to the children of the future.

It was designed by Essex sculptor John Doubleday.

Visit goldengiving.com/wall/friends-of-lake-meadows