Percy the snowman found

Kidnappers abducted an eight-foot tall snowman called Percy from outside Cardiff's Millenium Stadium and dumped him in a river – where he was found after desperate appeals for Percy's safe return.

Police had released CCTV footage of Percy's last known movements, as a gang dragged him away from his station at the gates of the Blizzard Funderworld theme park – and then pushed him towards the nearby River Taff.

Percy was found floating amidst flotsam and jetsam in Cardiff Bay, and recovered by the Cardiff Harbour authority. Blizzard Funderworld spokesman Edward Mellors said he had been 'beaten to an almost helpless slush.'

He had suffered extensive stomach trauma, although his head and bright pink top hat were relatively undamaged.