A vandalised 200-year-old statue considered beyond repair has been restored thanks to the remarkable work of a local firm.

The statue of Venus de Medici was found in pieces by members of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park's gardening team early on July 31.

The work of art, one of three classical statues on the Belvedere in the Italian Garden, had been moved and smashed.

Park manager Ian Berry said at the time that he believed the damage was irreparable.  

But when the team at Stax Reclamation, in Saltash, heard of the vandalism, they immediately offered to carry out repairs free of charge.

Colin Manley, from Stax, who undertook the restoration, said the firm had worked with Mount Edgcumbe in the past and was more than pleased to be able to help.

'The legs and head were off and all the fingers broken from the hands,' said Colin.

'The most difficult part was matching the colours because, after hundreds of years, the material had weathered.

'On the outside it was quite dark but inside, where it had been broken, it was pure white.'

Colin said that by mixing colours with the glue used to carry out the repairs it had been possible to make a good match.

The statue has now been returned to Mount Edgcumbe where staff said this week they were very grateful to Colin and Stax Reclamation for completing the difficult task.

The statue will be placed back on its plinth in the near future.

Police are still investigating the vandalism and have renewed their appeal for anyone with information to contact them.