COLCHESTER Hospital is investigating how artwork disappeared from its entrance.

The Gift Of Life was installed in 2017 by Colchester artist Anne Schwegmann-Fielding, who noticed the piece was missing in February, after picking her sister up from the hospital.

The piece was comissioned by the Organ Donation Trust.

The mosaic installation was built from crockery donated from Colchester Hospital and donated items including the 70-year-old plate from a friend's mother, which she referred to as ‘priceless’.

The installation covers the wall by the entrance, the missing pieces of work include a mosaic heron and goose, which have seemingly vanished without a trace.

The hospital confirmed investigations into the disappearance are ongoing.

Paul Fenton, director of estates and facilities at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Colchester Hospital, he said: “We are grateful to Ms Schwegmann for bringing this matter to our attention.

“It is extremely disappointing that the birds seem to have been removed from this long-standing and popular piece of artwork.

“We are investigating further, and we will continue to work with Ms Schwegmann on a solution.”