A WAR memorial in Flint has once again become the target of mindless vandalism.

It was discovered on Tuesday that the First World War Soldier, by Flint Castle, had been damage by what appears to be fire damage to the body and head of the statue.

This comes after the same piece of work was defaced with several offensive Nazi symbols and its accompanying letter branded with homophobic language over a month earlier on March 11, the Leader previously reported.

The Leader:

Pictures show the fire damage sustained by the memorial overlooking Flint Castle (Pictures/Andrew Nuttall)

The soldier’s letter was removed for cleaning of the homophobic vandalism but has not been replaced since and the swastikas were painted over.

The fresh damage to the statue’s body and face can be seen to have scorched through the paintwork of the solider, exposing the wood and metal beneath.

The Leader:

Pictures show the swastikas scrawled over the memorial back in March (Pictures/Geoff Abbott)

Cllr Ian Roberts, leader of Flintshire Council and Flint Town Councillor for the Castle ward, has branded the repeated act of vandalism as ‘absolutely deplorable’.

He said: “It is a great shame that people have once again decided to act so recklessly and deface a memorial that means so much to the people of this town and beyond.

“An officer from Flintshire County Council has been out to the site today [May 1] and, while the damage is repairable through some sanding and painting, it falls on public money to pay for this which could always go towards making our town better instead of covering up the mindless acts of a few disgraceful individuals.

“We appeal to those who frequently walk along the pathways to notify the authorities if they spotted anything suspicious on the day in question and also remain vigilant into the future.”

The artwork sits on a bench overlooking the foreshore reading a letter from a loved one and was designed by a local artist, Mike Owen. It has been in place since last summer to pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

Andrew Farrow, Flintshire Council’s chief officer planning, environment and economic development, said: “The benches have been well received by the local community and visitors to the area using the Wales Coast Path and it is both disappointing and sad that this thoroughly reprehensible and selfish act of vandalism has been carried out with a complete disregard to the feelings of others.

“I would urge anyone witnessing such anti-social behaviour to contact North Wales Police.”

Cllr Roberts is also urging anyone with spare time on their hands, and who enjoy the coastal path, to consider joining a group that will help monitor the pathway and report items of concern and help with litter picks and planting projects.

For more information on this, an event will be held at the The Old Court House in Church Street, Flint, on Sunday May 5 at 10am.