Boy with the Leaking Boot statue returning to Cleethorpes with improved security

THE iconic statue of The Boy with the Leaking Boot will be back in its rightful place in Cleethorpes within days.

Improved security will surround a new replica statue after vandals wrecked the attraction in July, just days before an important visit.

More than £2,000 has been spent by the Cleethorpes In Bloom Committee to create a new statue and install security measures.

Chairman Bob Callison said around £1,500 had been spent creating a more secure defence against vandals and thieves.

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The statue has been a popular feature in the pond at the Diana, Princess Of Wales memorial garden on the Kingsway.

But CCTV images captured two vandals jumping into the water and smashing the boy into pieces in July, as reported. They are still being sought by police.

It was the second time in just eight months the symbolic statue had been vandalised – just days before the Britain In Bloom judges paid the resort a visit as part of the national competition.

The much-loved statue has been plagued by vandals ever since it was given to the town in 1916.

It was last restored after an attack in October last year.

That came after it was stolen in 2008 by two youngsters from Doncaster.

Now a new statue has been made by craftsmen at Greenways garden ornaments centre, at Gayton-le-Marsh, near Louth.

Mr Callison said the statue will be erected in about a week.

It will be part of a water feature and have a protective frame.

He said he did not wish to disclose details of the new security measures as it might tempt vandals to have a go.

"Once again we are having to dip into our funds," he said.

"It cost a lot to repair last year and we rely upon our sponsors.

"We need to ask for more support in order to get the campaign going and ensure the statue is looking the best we can.

"This is the icon for Cleethorpes. It is Cleethorpes' statue and people come from far afield to see it."

Mr Callison said: "We have to get value for money for all the sponsorship we receive. When you have to start paying out for vandalism, it leaves a sour taste."

He told how Camilla Carlbom, the great-granddaughter of John Carlbom, who presented the statue to the resort almost 90 years ago, helped fund the reinstallation after another theft of the Boy back in 2002.

Mr Carlbom donated a statue in honour of the welcome he received as a Swedish immigrant nearly 100 years ago. It was a copy of one in the Hasselbacken restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden.