SNOWY the snowman, one of the favourite characters at the town's Christmas lights switch-on, had his giant red nose picked off -- and then returned in mysterious circumstances.
Snowy and his friend Frosty were stood at one of the town hall entrances publicising the November 15 event when a check by staff revealed his nose had gone missing.
Staff at the town hall grew increasingly worried that Snowy would have to parade through the town centre without his nose, but in the same mysterious way it had disappeared, the bright red hooter returned.
Norma Rutherford, of the council's communications unit, said: "The nose was discovered wrapped in a small package at the door to the town hall a few days after its disappearance.
"We were delighted to see it had returned, but on close inspection it looked as though it may be slightly different. We think Father Christmas may have left it there for us in time for the Christmas switch-on. Snowy was very relieved he did not have to face everyone nose-less. He is a very happy snowman."
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