A MEMORIAL black stone lion statue, which was vandalised last summer, has been returned to his rightful place.

The Darwen Boer War memorial, which commemorates those who died in the war between 1899 and 1902, stands in Belgrave Square.

Blackburn with Darwen Council carried out the repairs after the memorial was badly damaged in July last year.

Vandals smashed the lion's leg and left the remains strewn across the ground.

The railings have also been repainted and the stonework cleaned.