A MUCH-loved statue of Peter Pan has been replaced after the original was vandalised.

The previous monument, which is thought to have been next to the rose garden in the Town Gardens, in Old Town, since the First World War, was beheaded in 2004 and local councillors asked that it be replaced.

The new replica was unveiled by Richard Vincent, who is playing the lead in this year’s production of Peter Pan at the Wyvern Theatre, which starts in December.

Mr Vincent, 27, who has never appeared at the Wyvern before, said: “I think it’s really great – it’s important to restore things like this.

“Hopefully the people of Swindon will not want to take my head off.

“From what I can tell they are a good crowd and I think they will very much enjoy the audience participation. I’m looking forward to it.”

Richard Beale, a parks and green spaces officer for Swindon Council, said the statue added to the park and he hoped it would be the first of many more public artworks in the park.

“It’s an exact copy of the original and it’s a wonderful job.

“We found a foundry in Stroud with an artist and they have restored the original to perfect condition as well as make a new fibre glass mould.

“The old one was not suitable to be put back outside and is now in storage. We think it’s been here since the First World War but we are not sure and would love it if someone who might know got in touch.

“We don’t have much public artwork in the park and so this was a very worthwhile project. I would like this to be the first of many.”

Rachel Smith, aged five, of Lethbridge Primary School, was one of the first youngsters to get a glimpse of the statue and gave her approval.