QUEENIE the Hilltop Hare will be staying in her Malmesbury home after residents got behind a campaign to keep her in the town.

The hare, which was created by Malmesbury artist Sue Steele, is covered in tiny mosaic pieces depicting much loved scenes of Malmesbury and was part of this year’s Cotswold Hare Trail.

Former mayor Sue Poole, who led the campaign to raise enough money to bid for Queenie, said: “She was lot 84 so we had to sit through the previous 83 lots, getting more and more nervous.

“It was such a relief when the hammer went down and we had won.

“A huge thanks to everyone who contributed.”

The winning bid of £3,300 at the event’s concluding charity auction of all the hares means Queenie will return to Malmesbury.

She will take her place on permanent display in the entrance of the Town Hall under the guardianship of Malmesbury Town Council.

Mayor Wayne Jones said: “The work and effort that went into Queenie is fantastic.

“She represents our community, she is a snapshot of the community as a whole and the architecture and design in the town.

“I’d like to say a big thank-you to Sue and all the other people who contributed to keep Queenie in the town for future generations.”