An iconic Coalville statue could be returned to its original home after it has undergone restoration work by the former restorers of Nelson's Column.

The Mother and Child statue was originally cast in 1963 for the opening of Coalville's New Broadway Shopping Centre, and was re-sited almost 30 years later to a site outside the town's library.

But the historical piece had to be rescued from a skip during the 1980s after being moved during renovation works at the shopping centre.

Now though, North West Leicestershire District Council is 'exploring' plans to return the statue to what is now the Belvoir Shopping Centre.

It was moved from outside the library on Monday, and will be cleaned and restored by Antique Bronze Ltd.

The District Council has received £40,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to reinvigorate the statue.

Restorers lifted it earlier this week and transported her to a secure area at Snibston Colliery Park, where she will be returned to her original bronze colouring.

The sculpture's original plinth is also being refurbished and will be reunited with the statue for the first time in almost 40 years.

The Mother and Child was created by sculptor Robert Thomas and depicts a parent and child with a shopping bag containing a lump of coal, bobbin and a doll to symbolise the three historical industries of Coalville.

Thomas was awarded the Sir Otto Beit medal of Sculpture of Outstanding Merit of the Royal Society of British Sculptors for the piece and went on to produce similar works for other towns in the UK.

The statue was eventually moved from the shopping centre during renovation works and during the 80s was found in a skip by a District Council grounds maintenance officer.

She was then stored in the council's parks depot until the 1992 when it was placed outside of Coalville Library.

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of NWLDC, said: "The Mother and Child is an iconic piece of Coalville's history.

"She was created to celebrate the opening of what is now the Belvoir Shopping Centre and showcased the industries that made the town prosper.

"I can't wait to see her restored to her original glory, while keeping some of the green patina she has developed over the years, in time for her diamond jubilee.

"Options for relocating the statue, including the potential for her to be returned to her original home, are still being explored."