THERE was shock and anger over the weekend after a silhouette soldier installed for Remembrance commemorations was stolen and broken in Breightmet.

Cllr Adele Warren had spearheaded the project which saw two cut-outs in the shape of World War One-era soldiers placed in Bury Road.

She said that there was no problem with the cost damage, but rather the lack of respect for what it symbolised. The pair of wooden cut-outs had been created and put up just a few days before November 11.

One soldier was taken from its place on Saturday, 16 November, with it later transpiring that a man had taken the silhouette and carried it around the area, bizarrely even taking it to a Home Bargains store.

The soldier was eventually found on a backstreet in Tonge, broken in two, by Bolton North East Wildlife Trail (NEWT), who had been following the incident on Facebook.

NEWT, for which Cllr Warren is also the treasurer, had also previously helped install the soldiers artwork.

Cllr Warren said: “I feel very angry that someone would think that a community’s display to show respect and remembrance could be taken. But I am extremely proud that the community came together, challenged the individual when he took it, and that he was found.

“Breightmet has a great community. This was the first time we have done something like this and the community support means that next year they will return as a mark of Breightmet’s respect to all those brave men and women that have served our country.”

A spokesperson for NEWT said: “After it was stolen, we tried through social media to have the soldier returned. A post on Councillor Warren’s page stated that she had seen it in a back street in Tonge, so we quickly left and found it, but unfortunately it was smashed.”

Cllr Warren added that she had been in contact with police regarding the theft and had been reassured that they were fully looking into it.

The memorials, which cost around £10 to make, were well received by the community and the last remaining one has now been taken down until next year.

Cllr Warren says the plan is to go “bigger” next year and she wants to create something better.

She said she wants anyone with ideas or the abilities to create something next year to get in touch with her, to help add an extra memorial to the area for the next Remembrance period.

This could be someone with arts experience or from a local crafts group, who believe they can add a poignant and powerful memorial to the fallen.

People can get in touch with her by emailing: adele.warren@bolton.gov.uk