Toad drama with a happy ending for Larkin fans

The Princes Avenue Traders' Association had bought Henry, one of 40 fibreglass toads placed around Hull in summer to celebrate the work of poet Philip Larkin, but it was mistakenly included in 29 of the sculptures put up for auction, and snapped up by a private buyer for 1,450.

To make amends, businesses teamed up with the toads' creators to commission Albert, the city's 41st – and final – toad, which now has pride of place outside the Old Zoological pub.

Spokeswoman Paula Bielby said: "We decided to call him Albert in honour of the Prince for whom the avenue is named and we hope he will bring lots of visitors to Princes Avenue to experience what Hull's cosmopolitan quarter has to offer."

The metre-high toads were unleashed as part of a series of events to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Larkin, who was librarian at Hull University. The celebrations culminate on Thursday when a 7ft bronze statue of the poet will be unveiled at Paragon Station.