Visitors hoping to see an ice sculpture of the Shugborough mansion house at its Candlelit Christmas Evenings were disappointed – when it melted after one night.

Organisers hoped that the model could be carved out of the ice blocks over the course of the four-night event. The idea was that visitors would see the three solid blocks transformed into a sculpture measuring 9ft long and 18in high, to be completed today.

But, as it started dripping water as they worked, the sculptors were forced to speed up and finish the job on the first night – only to be confronted by a puddle the next day.

The three-strong team from Stafford College comprised sculpture technician Adam Wilkinson and students Clair Rushton and Ian Wilkins. Adam said: “I believe the suppliers told staff at Shugborough that the ice would last for four nights and thermal jackets were meant to be supplied to keep it from melting, but they didn’t turn up. As soon as I saw the ice on the first night, I knew it wouldn’t last.

“It was dripping water as we worked on it during that evening. So we completed the sculpture on the first night.

“We did a good job and it looked impressive but, as I expected, it was just a puddle by the next morning.”

Shugborough spokeswoman Corinne Caddy said: “We were very excited about having this ice sculpture, so what happened was a terrible shame, and we were really disappointed. But the suppliers let us down. We agreed we would get ice jackets to keep the sculpture cold but they didn’t turn up. We were assured the ice would be OK but it was unseasonably warm this week.”

She said signs were put up after the first night to let visitors know that the sculpture was not on show as was originally planned.

“It is terribly sad about the sculpture but, apart from that, this year’s Christmas evenings have probably been the best yet,” she said. “We’ve got more for families than ever before, with puppet shows, reindeers, donkeys, a grotto and even owls. It is really magical this year and, even in the wet weather on Thursday night, thousands of people were there, having a whale of a time.”

Stafford College students have had a long association with the estate and have produced the summer Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition for the past five years.