THE famous mini golf animals in Dawlish are moving back in, two by two.

The safari-themed seafront attraction has been out of action for a year while work was underway on South West Water’s multi-million pound improvement scheme.

The entire 12 hole mini golf area and ice cream kiosk at Tuck’s Plot were ripped up while the animals, which include a panda, gorilla, giraffe and elephant, were stored in nearby cages.

Now, the animals are being freed and put back onto the golf course.

Owner Rob Phipps says he hopes the attraction will be fully open by the beginning of August.

The ice cream and drinks kiosk is expected to open earlier, on Monday July 20.

Rob said: ‘They started rebuilding it a few weeks ago and so far so good.’

The famous floral Dawlish sign, which can be see by rail passengers passing by, will also be replaced which, Rob said, will be slightly different and lower maintenance.

The safari animals are undergoing a refurbishment of their own and have been repainted.

Rob said: ‘It’s all going according to plan. We have a completely different layout because there is a massive electrical box and grates in the floor.

‘But it should be better than before.’

Overall, Rob says he has lost out financially despite a compensation but the reinstated attraction should be an improvement on what was there before.

The crazy golf, featuring the large fibre glass animal sculptures, opened in 2018.

South West Water’s major project to improve water quality in Dawlish was completed in March and currently remedial work is taking place.

Along with replacing the mini golf, part of the Lawn is being reseeded and flower beds rebuilt.