A statue is set to return to a Surrey town after it was torn down two years ago following a spate of vandalism.

Spelthorne Borough Council said the “much loved” Five Swimmers statue will be loaned to property developer Berkeley Group for public display at Eden Grove in Staines.

The statue, created by David Wynne OBE in 1980, was originally commissioned for the Elmsleigh Center and remained there until 1997 when it was removed and then reinstalled in the Memorial Gardens.

Joanne Sexton, chair of the council’s policy and corporate resources committee, said Eden Grove offered “the best combination of visibility, safety and accessibility”.

The statue was damaged in the 2014 floods and has been in storage since 2022, at a cost of £1,000 per year.

Ms Sexton said: “This option not only ensures that the statue remains accessible to the public, but also provides the necessary protection against vandalism, allowing the Five Swimmers to be enjoyed safely for years to come. »

A number of potential sites have been considered for the statue, including its former home in Elmsleigh Center’s main square and the new Eclipse Leisure Centre.