Make Paddington a permanent Mayo citizen

PADDINGTON may be fond of his marmalade sandwiches but he's fast become the best thing since sliced bread to come to Westport.

Forget deepest, darkest Peru or the shining lights of London. Westport wants to become his permanent home.

Paddington took a seat overlooking the Fairgreen in Westport last October and he's proved to be a major hit, with young and old posing daily for photographs.

During the week he took some time off for some pampering to continue looking his best, with a paint touch-up, but has now returned to his bench.

Looking to the statue's future, local Councillor Brendan Mulroy has asked council management if Paddington will become a permanent citizen into the future.

Director of services Joanne Grehan asked him: “Is he going to be awarded the Freedom of Westport?”

There would be a lot of sadness if he were to leave, said Councillor Mulroy at a municipal district meeting. He wanted to know if they could keep the bear for the rest of his life.

“I don't want to wake up some day and find he's gone,” he said, urging the council to do whatever has to be done.