Hotel owner flummoxed by stone lions on doorstep

TWO stone statues of lions have appeared mysteriously on the front steps of a St Martin’s hotel.

Not quite the Landseer Lions from Trafalgar Square, but Tony Dundon, the owner of the Sunnydene Hotel was surprised to find them and two large plant pots left outside the hotel last weekend. He would like to return them to the owners. (Pictures by Sophie Rabey, 28872585)

When the owners of Sunnydene Country Hotel arrived the morning after Halloween, they saw the two concrete lions on either side of the front door.

Tony Dundon said they were noticed on Sunday morning, along with two large circular potted plants next to them.

‘It’s obviously a Halloween prank, but they are incredibly heavy,’ he said.

‘It must have taken some serious man-power to lift them, and a truck or van to transport them.’

While he was convinced it was not an anonymous gift, whoever was responsible for it had taken the trouble to place the lions and pots perfectly symmetrically on either side of the door.

Isthis your lion and flower pot? (28872589)

Mr Dundon said he could not believe it when he saw them.

‘I’m sure they’re not from around here, I’ve shown photos to a few friends and they’re certain they’re not from this area, too,’ he said.

‘I can’t see that it is someone just giving them away without telling us.’

Mr Dundon reported it to the police and hopes the owner of the statues and pots recognises them.

‘If they’ve been taken from a property and put here it’s important that they are returned,’ he said. ‘I can’t imagine they were cheap.’

The hotel does not have CCTV outside the front door, but it is something that is now being considered in case another incident like this happens.

If nobody comes forward to collect them, Mr Dundon said they would likely remain on the front step of the hotel but believed they were unique and that the owners might be missing them.

n If the lions belong to you, please contact Mr Dundon on 07781 142631.