A Snowdog controversially removed from St Mary’s churchyard will be put on permanent display at a school after being bought by a prolific developer.

Mark Quinn, who is building scores of homes in Ashford, paid £3,000 for the piece at a charity auction in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice last week.

The Infinity Dog, designed by Jessica Holly Goddard, was moved out of the churchyard during the 10-week art trail following a complaint from campaigner Chris Cooper.

It will now go on permanent display at the John Wallis Academy after being snapped up by Mr Quinn, who also paid £7,000 for Stripes and £5,200 for Snowbrador.

Mr Quinn - who was unaware of the controversy surrounding the Snowdog when he bought it - said: “I bought the dogs because I think it’s a brilliant charity. My mum died in the hospice in 2013, and I have massive respect for the incredible work it does.

“I was trying to bid all the other developers up but I got caught out on one of them, which I ended up giving to the John Wallis C of E Academy indefinitely to inspire the students.

“We’re looking forward to a long-term relationship with the school, perhaps offering apprenticeships to the students.

“It’s a great school so we’re quite hopeful that the dog will mark the start of a strong bond between us.

Snowbrador, which was previously on display at the Stour Centre, cost Mr Quinn £5,200 and has now been donated to the Tourist Information Centre at the Gateway building in Church Road.

It is not yet known where Stripes, which sat outside the Quinn Estates-built Connect 38 building during the trail, will go on display.

Mr Quinn, who paid £7,000 for the sculpture, added: “I gave one [Snowbrador] to the Tourist Information Centre after a lady who works in Ashford came up to me at the auction.

“A lot of people do a lot of good work around the town, and I thought ‘let’s make her year’.

“The art trail led to a real influx of visitors into the area and people wwere keen to see Ashford.

“It was an exciting project and we were proud to be a part of it.”

In County Square, Socks has been bought by the shopping centre and has been put back on display, while My Very Best Jumper is to go on show at the new Picturehouse cinema.