She's baaa-ck! Baa-bara the wolf makes a sheepish return to Wolverhampton Art Gallery

For more than a decade, Baa-bara emerged from the balcony of Wolverhampton Art Gallery on the hour, bleating and kicking its legs before opening up to reveal a red-eyed, howling wolf.

But the much-loved artwork was taken down last year after problems with the circuit board meant it was no longer rising high enough to activate the sensors that release the wolf.

With a bill of more than £330 to fix Baa-bara - or The Wolf (in Sheep's Clothing) as its officially known - a group called the Northicote '55ers stepped in and started raising money toward the repair. The group is made up of former Northicote School pupils – called the '55ers because they are the class of 1955 - who meet in the gallery café each month and have been at the forefront of the campaign. Donations were also made through the Friends of Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

And now, after several months rest and recuperation, Baa-bara is back on the balcony and functioning just as it should.

Tom Jenkins, Friends of Wolverhampton Art Gallery chairman, said: "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is an iconic sculpture which represents an image the city's football fans relate to.

"It puts smiles on people's faces and, besides having a serious edge, art should do that – it is fantastic to see it up and running again."

Northicote '55ers member Gillian Burton added: "I often stood across the road from the gallery to catch the bus and marvelled at Baa-bara as she's become known.

"I'm delighted everyone's fundraising efforts have come to fruition and she is working again. It is a great sight and, with the children now breaking up for the summer holidays, I would recommend paying a visit to the gallery to see it."

The art was commissioned from ex-Wolverhampton School of Art student Andy Plant in 1999 as part of the Millennium celebrations, and was inspired by the city's role in the wool trade, which is represented in the crest of the old borough. The wolf acts as a counterpoint and as well as being the nickname of the city's football team, ties in with the old saying 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'.

It even comes with its own sound effects with the bleating of lambs and the howl of wolf ringing out from the gallery balcony every hour.

The wolf used to be introduced with an eerie plume of smoke but frequent calls to the fire service by concerned passers-by put an end to that.

The piece had to be designed so that it was not too heavy or large for the balcony, could not open at the wrong moment and damage the balustrade, be weather-proof, and sensitive to high winds that might blow back the steel sides. It also needed to be able to go off regularly, but not through the night and have synchronised smoke and animal noises. A ram's head indicator is situated on the wall in the foyer, to mark the time until the next showing.

Designed to survive the elements, Baa-bara can withstand gusts of wind up to 100mph before the mechanism will automatically cut out.

Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: "The public support for the restoration of Baa-bara has been overwhelming.

"She is obviously a much-loved feature of the art gallery and it's brilliant to have her up and working again.

"On behalf of the gallery, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the campaign."