Church leaders have gained permission to move a Snowdog back inside the grounds of a church - but fear they will be unable to reinstate it before the art trail ends on Sunday.

The eye-catching Infinity Dog was removed from the churchyard at St Mary's in Ashford in September following a complaint by parishioner Chris Cooper to the church authorities.

But The Rev John MacKenzie, team rector of the Ashford town parish, launched a campaign last month to return the model to its former position - and his move has now been supported by the commissary general of the diocese.

However, the popular art trail ends at 2pm on Sunday - meaning church leaders face a race against time to move the model back.

Mr MacKenzie said: "We're overjoyed with the decision, and very pleased that this can happen.

"But we've been talking with Ashford Borough Council about the relocation of the dog and, following its extremely hard work on remembrance events, its resources have been stretched.

"Now we're not sure whether there will be the ability to get the dog moved back into the churchyard before the end of the event.

"Unfortunately it requires specialist lifting equipment and boards that hide the lifting points.

"The boards we used when moving it out were our only spares, and moving it will require breaking the boards.

"I want to stress that the Snowdog is the council's property so any plans to move it have to go through them. We also want to ensure as much money as possible can be raised for Pilgrims Hospice.

"Now we're reaching the end of this exhibition, we have to focus on maximising the funds that can be raised for such a wonderful cause."

The Infinity Dog is currently sat close to the Hair Academy, outside of the fenced off churchyard.

The church has incurred legal costs for the hearing, which took place last week.

Mr MacKenzie said: "While this will incur some financial outlay from the church, we still think it's important to have the Infinity Dog back in the churchyard.

"We're still in conversation with the council, and it would be very much ideal for it to be put back into its rightful place.

"We're very grateful for all the support that the council has given us but there might not be time for this to occur.

"If that's the case then so be it. We and the council have done all we're able to do but the timescale may be too tight for us to achieve the move."

A council spokesman says the Snowdog had to be partially damaged when it was moved in September.

He said: "The council this week was made aware that the St Mary’s had successfully applied for a faculty for the Infinity Snowdog to be put back in its original location within the churchyard, after being relocated to a position outside the vicar’s house.

"The condition of the faculty, set by the commissary general of the diocese, states that ‘no works may be commenced until the petitioners have obtained a letter from the church's insurers consenting to the works’, which the council is yet to receive.

"It is unfortunate that this decision and condition by the Diocese has come very late in the day for the project, as the trail ends at 2pm this Sunday.

"These beautiful creations can also get damaged when being moved, so we also have to weigh up the worth of moving the dog for just a few days, and how we move it without damaging the plinth and the branding, which were unfortunately damaged and had to be replaced when Infinity Dog was moved from its previous location."

As the Snowdogs art trail nears its end, a trio of closing ceremonies have been organised to give fans a chance to say their final goodbyes.

This weekend will see the removal of all 35 dogs from the town's streets, coinciding with Saturday's Snowdog-themed Festive Family Fun Day and Christmas light switch-on in the town centre.

The free event, running from 10am and 5pm, will feature guest appearances from The Snowman, The Snowdog and Father Christmas, along with live music on the bandstand and stone painting at the Snowdogs kennel on the lower floor of County Square.

Following Sunday's removal, the decorated dogs will be relocated to the Julie Rose Stadium for their "farewell weekend".

Taking place on Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, every Snowdog will be collected together with fans able to book times to view them via the Ashford Snowdogs' website.

The evening after the so-called "lap of honour" at the athletics stadium, the kooky canines will be auctioned off in aid of Pilgrims Hospice on Monday, December 3.

The Motorline-sponsored evening - held at the Ashford International Hotel - will be hosted by TV auctioneers Michael Hogben and Alison Chapman, with very pound spent on the dogs going to the end-of-life care charity.

Tickets to the auction cost £30, with all costs going to the Pilgrims Hospice, but prospective pooch purchasers can also bid from home.

Visit www.ashfordsnowdogs.co.uk for more information.