Wax models of David and Victoria Beckham as Mary and Joseph in a controversial nativity scene have been smashed.

A young man attacked the £50,000 figures at Madame Tussauds, crushing Victoria's face and David's hands.

A museum spokesman said the yob "pushed over" the pair yesterday afternoon, but ran from the building before security staff could detain him.

The waxworks were taken to the museum's workshop in west London to assess the damage.

"We hope to reopen the attraction," the spokesman said.

The exhibit, which featured Kylie Minogue as a pouting angel on all fours, caused uproar when it was unveiled last Thursday. Church leaders called it "disrespectful" and "blasphemous".

Tony Blair, the Duke of Edinburgh and President George Bush played the three wise men, while the shepherds included actors Samuel L Jackson and Hugh Grant and comedian Graham Norton.

Around 300 visitors voted the celebrities into the roles during a museum poll in October.