Statue of Melania Trump set on fire in her own hometown in Slovenia

A life-size wooden sculpture of Melania Trump was set on fire in her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia.

The American artist, who commissioned the statue, said it was damaged on July 4, which is Independence Day in the US.

Brad Downey, who is based in Berlin, confirmed that the monument was removed as soon as police informed him about the incident the next day.

He is hoping to interview the culprits, if found, for a film he is preparing ahead of his exhibition due to open in Slovenia in September.

Mr Downey wanted the statue to foster dialogue about the political situation in the United States highlighting Mrs Trump’s status as an immigrant married to a president sworn to reduce immigration.

“I want to know why they did it,” he said.

In Washington, the First Lady's office did not respond to a request for comment but in recent weeks Donald Trump has vowed to take a hard line on anyone destroying or vandalising US historical monuments .

Police in Slovenia confirmed they are aware of the incident and added: "The investigation, in this case, has not been completed yet so we cannot reveal details due to the interest of further procedures".

Although the statue’s face was rough-hewn and unrecognizable prior to the fire, the figure was painted with a pale blue wraparound coat resembling the one Mrs Trump wore at her husband's presidential inauguration ceremony in January 2017.

The figure was carved with a chainsaw by local folk artist Ales Zupevc from the trunk of a living linden tree.

In January, a large wooden statue resembling Donald Trump, designed by a local artist last year, was burnt in Slovenia’s city of Moravce, east of the capital Ljubljana.