A talented sand scul-ptor has carved out some therapy for a group of penguins who are pining at Weymouth Sea Life Park.

The resident Humboldt penguins were joined for a couple of months earlier this year by a group of bigger, more energetic Gentoo penguins.

These penguins have since moved to a specially created Antarctic feature at the Sea Life London Aquarium.

Displays supervisor Fiona Smith said: “They were very different to our more easy-going Humboldts but our penguins got quite attached to them and still seem to be missing them.”

Staff at the Weymouth attraction tried to cheer the eleven Humboldts up with some home improvements.

These included planting nice shady palm trees in their enclosure and even installing a refreshing shower for the birds.

On hearing that the troubled birds were not entirely consoled, however, neighbour Mark Anderson at Weymouth’s new attraction Sandworld International Sand Sculpture Park, proposed a novel solution.

Mark, who has been crafting works of art from Weymouth sand for more than 20 years, sculpted nine life-sized Gentoo penguins which have now been positioned in the Humboldt penguin pen.

Sea Life boss Craig Dunkerley added: “We really appreciated Mark’s kind gesture and whether or not our Humboldts are actually fooled by the incredibly lifelike sculptures or not, they certainly seem to have perked up.”

The compacted sand can withstand strong winds and light rain, and the sculptures are hoped to survive a week or two at the least, said Mark.

He added: “It’s always nice to help your neighbours.

“Especially when they’re as comical and charming a group as these amazing penguins.”