Seized gollies returned to store

The seized toys were on display in the store

Police in Herefordshire say they will not be charging a store owner after removing three toy golliwogs from his shop window.

The toys were removed from a display at Pettifer's in Bromyard after someone complained they were offensive.

Officers said the items will be returned but store owner Donald Reynolds will be advised about the sensitivities of displaying them.

Mr Reynolds said he would continue to sell them.

He said he had not received any complaints about the toys, which had been on display for two weeks, before they were seized.

'Good sellers'

He decided to sell them after altering his shop to include gifts for sale.

"I thought they would be good sellers and they were.

"Within ten minutes of putting them out I sold two of them," he said.

West Mercia Police said the toys were seized under section 5 of the Public Order Act which makes it an offence to display anything which could be deemed as threatening, abusive or insulting.

It added no further action would be taken.