THE cuddly, friendly face that welcomes visitors at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms is set for a make-over, just in time for the new tourist season.

Tusker is the cute, cuddly mammoth, originally manufactured 15 years ago by local teddy-bear manufacturer Merrythought, near Ironbridge.

It has sat outside Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in all weathers welcoming visitors to this award-winning visitor attraction. But with all the hugs he has received over the years it has left him looking rather tired, and he’s even losing his fur.

The Discovery Centre is managed by a local charity and with help of Merrythought and a volunteer, Tusker will get a new lease of life.

“We have been quite concerned about old Tusker, he is much loved by all our visitors and receives daily hugs from all the children, but he has aged somewhat and is losing his fur so rather than retire him, we put a call out for volunteers to come forward who could help with this mammoth task,” said Catherine Collier, general manager at the Discovery Centre.

“Our thanks to Merrythought who kindly donated the plush that will be used to give him a new coat, and volunteer Catherine Crowther for doing all the hard work replacing his fur coat.”

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre is open daily all year round and has regular events for families, particularly during the half term and summer holidays, with a shop, café and exhibition which houses the replica of a mammoth skeleton found in Shropshire over 30 years ago,

Tusker can always be seen at the entrance welcoming visitors.