<< repairs for a smashed potato
MR POTATO Head was the victim of a savage attack last week.
The seven-foot statue carried on its run of bad luck after being kicked out of Belper by being beaten up by a gang of children.
The seven-foot cartoon character had one of his arms ripped off, his body kicked and scratched and his hat broken.
Amber Valley Borough Council's tourism officer Reg Whitworth originally brought the potato to Britain.
He was so shocked by the attack he is considering sending the vegetable back to America.
He said: "It appears a group of youths attacked him while he was left standing outside Heanor Gate School.
"And recently we've had a call from a tourism company in Rhode Island who want to take him on a tour America.
"So at the moment I think we'd be quite happy to send him home."
After the attack Mr Potato Head was sent to Ripley fibre-glass specialists Technique Composites.
They stuck his arm back on and repaired his battle scars.
If Mr Potato Head is fully recovered he should be the guest of honour at today's grand re-opening of Belper's Safeway supermarket. >>