A charity has described the excitement over its penguin sculptures as “magnificent” after they were sold at auction for £330,000.

More than 200 bidders competed to purchase the 41 figurines featured in an art trail called Waddle of Worcester over the summer.

The penguins invaded the streets of the city for eight weeks and each sculpture was designed by local artists or schools and sponsored by businesses.

Sara Matthews, from St Richard’s Hospice, said the result was “absolutely phenomenal” and people’s generosity was “simply overwhelming”.

She said the artistic journey had been an “emotional roller coaster”, especially after five sculptures were vandalized.

She thanked the hundreds of people who supported the trail.

Matt Baker, of Compco Fire Systems, said he wanted to buy the Kingfisher Azure penguin after it was vandalized and thrown into the river near his workplace.

“He can live happily for the rest of his life and we just hope to get him to safety,” he said.

He said it was very important to support the hospice as many of its employees had links to the charity.

“Our former chief executive spent his final days at St Richard’s, so it’s a charity close to our hearts and one we want to support in the future,” he added.

Each penguin sold for between £4,000 and £21,000, and two sculptures fetched £20,000 or more under the hammer.

The remaining 40 penguin chicks that featured on the trail returned to schools and community groups who decorated them as a legacy of the project.