REPAIRS have begun on a statue outside Chester Town Hall which was damaged last week.

Last Friday (April 29), a car smashed into the base of the statue, causing significant damage to both the vehicle and the statue's base, although the sculpture itself was not affected.

The vehicle, a dark grey Honda, was then towed away from the scene as Cheshire Police and Cheshire West and Chester Council cleared debris.

An eyewitness said they had seen a man, who had been sat at the Parklet in front of the Chester Town Hall steps, having to dive away to avoid being struck by the vehicle.

The car after it had struck the statue by Chester Town Hall.

The car after it had struck the statue by Chester Town Hall.

Police said: "We would like to reassure people this it is not terrorism related and there are no reports of any serious injuries."

A Cheshire Constabulary spokesperson added: "At 11.22am on Friday 29 April, officers on patrol in Chester city centre came across a collision near to the town hall.

"The incident involved a silver Honda Jazz which has collided with a statue.

"The incident is not terrorism related and there are no reports of any serious injuries.

"The driver of the car, a 75-year-old woman, has been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure."

The statue, 'A celebration of Chester', was created by sculptor Stephen Broadbent, and was unveiled in the city in September 1992.

Cheshire West and Chester Council officers have, as of Friday, May 6, begun making repairs to the statue, which remains cordoned off to the public presently.