A SILENT soldier silhouette which was damaged by vandals is being replicated and replaced.

Four of the metal soldier statues, which stand at around 5ft tall, were purchased by Prudhoe Town Council earlier this year to stand at the entrances to the town.

The Royal British Legion soldiers commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

But the soldier at the western gateway to the town was knocked down and damaged beyond repair last month.

At the last meeting of Prudhoe Town Council, members heard that it had not been possible to order another soldier, but local joiner John Baron had offered to recreate the statue.

The council was keen to replace the statue due to the strong support it had received when the soldiers were purchased and the public outcry when one was vandalised.

At the meeting, mayor of Prudhoe, Coun. Tracy Gilmore, said: “A lot of people will be very happy to see it back there.”

The soldier was damaged when it was knocked down and John has collected the pieces and will use them to help create its replacement.

John said: “I have got the one I took away and I will use that as a template to draw around it and cut it out like a jigsaw.

“The difference will be that it will be made of plywood, so it will be a bit thicker, but it should look the same otherwise and hopefully people will be glad to see it back in place.”

Meanwhile, county councillor Gordon Stewart took the opportunity to encourage anyone with information about the vandalism to come forward.

“I know through speaking to many people that there is a great deal of resentment against the person or persons that damaged the statue; they have shown a complete lack of respect,” he said. “People of Prudhoe are rightly proud of this great town, and also of the people who serve in the armed forces.

“I would urge anyone who has information about this or any other crime to contact the police.”