AN artist has expressed his disbelief after one of his prized sculptures – an �8000 egg – was taken from the Doctor s Pond. Kevin Sweeney secretly waded out and put the egg on the central island as a good-will gesture to the town for the Easter weekend.

AN artist has expressed his disbelief after one of his prized sculptures - an �8000 egg - was taken from the Doctor's Pond.

Kevin Sweeney secretly waded out and put the egg on the central island as a good-will gesture to the town for the Easter weekend.

However, he is appealing for witnesses to come forward after the valuable ornament vanished on Sunday.

Mr Sweeney, who has a workshop in Barnston, said: "My friends have been asking me to do this for the last two years but a black cloud has loomed over the idea.

"I wanted to give local people something to enjoy over the Easter weekend.

"I knew I ran a risk of it being taken but wanted to put my faith in the community."

The egg - which took over a year to complete - was due to form part of a collection in Surrey this weekend.

If sold, it could fetch more than �8000 as it is similar in stature but slightly larger than one that fetched the same amount at the Eaton Terrace Gallery in Belgravia last year.

"Fifty per cent of the money would have come to me," said Mr Sweeney.

"That is a huge sum for someone in my position trying to pay workshop and home bills.

"In hindsight, I should have never put it on the island in the first place."

Mr Sweeney said that he had intended to offer the egg to the new town library after the exhibition.

Although he would dearly love to see his egg returned in one piece, he is not able to put up a reward.

"I just want it back but all I can offer is for those involved to clear their conscience which I feel can be worth more than material gain," he added.

DID you see anything? Contact Mr Sweeney on 07811 175 351 or e-mail us at editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk