Six of 40 different woolly 'toppers' adorning postboxes in Exmouth to raise money for charity have reportedly gone missing or been damaged.

The Exmouth Mail Trail, a yarnbombing fundraiser for Hospiscare, was launched on 14 July this year.

A dinosaur model, pictured, was "ripped from its base" and had to be replaced with a new one, according to the charity.

Other toppers have gone missing entirely, with another damaged; one however, depicting an ice cream sundae, has since been found and returned.

'It's so disheartening for everyone involved'

Organiser of the Exmouth Mail Trail Claire Suttie said: "It's so disheartening for everyone involved to see the toppers damaged or going missing. So many hours of work go into them and they're there to raise vital funds for a brilliant local charity and to bring a bit of fun and joy to local residents and passers-by.

"I'm also concerned that they could hurt someone as they're constructed with wires, staples and glue. I would like to ask anyone who might find a discarded topper to contact me via the trail Facebook page at The Mail Trail Exmouth Postboxes."

The Mail Trail ran for the very first time last year and saw over £5k raised for the charity.

This year, it has raised £4,805 of its current target of £5,000 at the time of writing.

Click here to donate on the Mail Trail's JustGiving page.

SEE ALSO: Exmouth postboxes get woolly makeover for second year running