By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A popular garden gnome is still making West Bridgford residents smile after he had to move home due to council resurfacing works.
Amazon the gnome had to move from his traditional place on the pavement after Nottinghamshire County Council said it needed to be resurfaced.
Resident Geraldine Ellis created the gnome’s home five years ago after decorating a tree stump on the pavement opposite her house with lights for Christmas.
‘Amazon’ has enjoyed a slice of fame in West Bridgford ever since, with Mrs Ellis decorating the spot for various sporting events and special occasions throughout the year.
The garden ornament got his name after a previous incident, when he was accidentally knocked over by a delivery driver.
Now, Amazon has moved into Mrs Ellis’ garden where she says he is still being enjoyed by the community – and she still posts updates to his hundreds of followers on Facebook.
Amazon is currently wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, and later in the year he will celebrate the Tour of Britain coming to Nottinghamshire.
The original space in the pavement has been left with a square of soil and the county council said it will plant a new tree there this October.
Mrs Ellis said: “Amazon is still making people smile. He’s in a safer place now and he’s still going strong.
“People were sad when he had to move but in the end, it was a sensible decision because he’s only two feet tall and I’m aware people in their cars wouldn’t see him. I know he would’ve been knocked over again.
“People still see him when they walk past. There’s no plans to move him back and everyone thinks he’s better off where he is now.
“We’re just carrying on as if it was the same as before.”
She previously said Amazon has had a “horrid time” after previously being vandalised and reversed into by another car car.
Councillor John Ogle, Vice Chairman of the Transport and Environment Committee, said in April: “Nottinghamshire County Council recently agreed our new Highways Improvement Plan which builds on recommendations from our cross-party Highways Review Panel.
“One of the recommendations is to prioritise repairs on local roads and footways to make them better for residents, and the pavement resurfacing works on this street in West Bridgford are a great example of how we are making these recommendations a reality.
“There are however plans to plant a new tree in October, in place of the one which will be removed, to coincide with tree planting season.”
