The removal of a Mother and Child statue from Chalice Well Gardens has sparked significant upset among local residents and visitors.

Created by artist Ganesh and inspired by the works of Eric Gill, the removal of the statue has prompted a heated debate.

Gill was among the most prominent sculptors of the 20th century until his death in 1940, but his diaries, published much later, detailed the sexual abuse of his daughters. This revelation has contributed to many places across the UK removing statues associated with him.

The statue at the Chalice Well was taken down by the Chalice Well Trust, who say they were looking to maintain a neutral space welcoming to all spiritual paths.

Many visitors have taken to social media to express their disappointment and sorrow over the decision on social media and a petition to request the return of the Mother and Child statue has attracted over 2000 signatures.

The statue that was recently removed from the Chalice Well (Facebook)

Ali Moore wrote: "I feel saddened by this decision. I visit the garden to visit my son whose ashes are scattered in the meadow, and for me, the mother and son statue was symbolic for this and where I would light my candles. I hope you may rethink this decision and continue to be a place of acceptance and openness."

Anna Chantal added, "A mother and baby deity is as multi-faith or neutral as it can be surely wherever it is from. Without mothers, we wouldn't have a human race. I was going to come to the wells specifically to pray with mother & child, because that is who I am through & through, a mother first before anything."

The Chalice Well Trust has responded to the outcry in a public statement.

"We are really sorry if the removal of the Mother and Child statue has upset people," the statement read. "This decision to remove this statue from public view in the Sanctuary was not made lightly and was mainly because of upholding our ethos at Chalice Well of Many Paths One Source.

"The Mother and Child statue was made many years ago and donated by Ganesh after he had seen the Eric Gill Mother and Child sculpture at Glastonbury Abbey. In recent years, the allegations about Eric Gill have come to light, and the new board of Trustees, who all have long-standing connections with the Well, considered the potential impact this statute could have on some people.

"This was one of the contributing factors to making the decision to remove The Mother and Child statue from her public place in the Sanctuary.

"Our ethos is Many Paths One Source, echoing the pathways through the garden to the wellhead. It is because everyone is welcome, whatever their spiritual belief, and the beauty of the garden is enough, that we no longer have statues that could be perceived as a particular spiritual path. The garden is neutral, not multi-faith. All are welcome from all spiritual paths. The natural world is the one thing that unites and sustains us all regardless of the spiritual path that we follow. There are no longer statues in the Chalice Well garden because our beautiful garden is enough. All spiritual paths are welcome, as we uphold Many Paths, One Source."