A TEST Valley war statue designed by an Andover sculptor has been damaged by vandals.

Part of the stirrup on the horse’s left hand side has broken off.

It is believed to have been vandalised.

Hundreds of people lined the centre of the town when the horse was unveiled just over one year ago by Princess Anne.

The £86,000 bronze resin statue stands in the town's War Memorial Park as designed by artist Amy Goodman.

It was commissioned to remember the 120,000 horses and men that were trained for the front line in the First World Wat at the Romsey Remount Depot.

It is understood that the damage could cost hundreds of pounds to repair the damage to the resin.

Romsey town councillor and former mayor, Dorothy Baverstock, said she believed the damage was done by people climbing onto it or helping their children up on top of it.

“I want them to stop climbing up there. I’m sure that’s how the damage is done.

“It’s not a piece of fun equipment it’s something that’s there to pay tribute. People see it with great reverence. Some people seem to think of it as being part of an amusement park.”

Jean Stone was with Cllr Baverstock when the damage was discovered on Saturday morning.

She said: “It could not have been damaged long as the bits were on the floor. A lot of effort by many kind people helped in establishing this beautiful statue.

“I am sad to see it damaged so.”

The damage is believed to have taken place between 12pm on Friday July 8 and 5pm on Saturday July 9.

If anyone has any information about how this happened they are asked to call Hampshire police on 101, quoting 44160260457.