WATCHET was this week coming to terms with the loss of one of its best-loved characters after Derek the goose, which had lived in the harbour for over ten years, suffered a violent and mysterious death in the early hours of last Saturday.

Derek - actually a female white goose - had lived among the boats in Watchet marina since being blown into the harbour by a storm and had been fed and looked after by the town’s community ever since.

This week, Derek’s personal Facebook page, run by Watchet resident Ms Carron Scott, was deluged with tributes and condolences from as far away as Birmingham, Singapore, the United States and Australia.

And flowers have been laid at a temporary memorial created on the Esplanade by Watchet marine staff which includes a photograph of ‘The Guardian of the Marina’.

Carron said: “Derek’s death has caused real sadness in Watchet. She was a great character and everyone loved her. Already there is discussion about plans for a permanent memorial - ideally a bronze statue which could go alongside the Ancient Mariner and Yankee Jack on the Esplanade.

“We hope to take this further in the coming weeks and anyone with support or suggestions is welcome to contact Derek’s Facebook page.”

Mystery still surrounds what happened in the early hours of last Saturday. Derek regularly slept on the town’s slipway at low water and an early morning dog-walker reported seeing blood stains and a pile of feathers but no body.

Chris Moiser, owner of Tropiquaria Zoo, was brought in to investigate and confirmed that the feathers and some small remains were those of a goose. “We will never really know what happened,” Chris said.

“There are urban foxes in Watchet, and perhaps it could have been a large dog, but the fact that the body has disappeared is very puzzling.”

A criminal lawyer before becoming a zoo owner, Chris added: “I think we will have to be content with an open verdict on Derek.”

A Watchet Boat Owners’ Association spokesman said: “Derek had become the harbour mascot and boat-owners, fishermen and children will really miss her. Recently there was real concern for her safety when the marina was polluted by diesel fuel but she survived that, only to suffer this really violent death.

“Geese can apparently live to at least 25 and we were hoping to have her around for a long time yet. It’s a very sad day for the town.”

Carron Scott told the Free Press: “I am still really distraught. I saw Derek nearly every day and took over the Facebook page three years ago. I think the town is shocked by the news.”

Carron said the first indication that something was wrong came when a boat-owner reported that Derek hadn’t turned up for breakfast.

She added: “She will be really missed and already I have had a huge number of suggestions about ways to remember her. A bronze statue on the Esplanade seems to be the favourite. Derek was with us for over ten years and is part of our history. I think she deserves that.”

District councillor Loretta Whetlor added: “I am already investigating possible sources of funds for a memorial statue for Derek and the feeling in the town is that there would be great support for such a project.

“Derek found her way into the hearts of an awful lot of people. She was something special and we mustn’t forget her.”