ONE of the Silent Soldier statues, which have been placed in locations across the borough, has been damaged.

The Star reported earlier this week that 24 'Silent Soldier' silhouettes were placed at locations across St Helens to honour British and Commonwealth soldiers, marking 100 years since the end of the First World War.

However, pictures have emerged showing the silhouette located near Thatto Heath Park with damage to its head.

The images sparked concern on social media, with fears being voiced that the artwork had been the victim of vandalism.

However, online comments by Star readers have suggested the silhouette may have been damaged accidentally by children with a football - and that they have apologised to the council.

Those claims have not been corroborated at this stage.

Organised by the Royal British Legion, ‘The Silent Soldier’ project aims to ‘educate’ today’s younger generation, and ‘heal’ today’s veterans who are suffering from mental health and physical wounds, by raising substantial funds through the sale of ‘Tommies’.