Vandalised statue to get makeover

The stone-effect cover will mask the graffiti

Coventry's Godiva statue is to get a temporary makeover after recent graffiti attacks.

A stone-effect aluminium cover has been designed to wrap the wooden boards that currently mask the graffiti on the monument.

The cover will replicate the monument's original inscriptions and will stay in place until the statue has been fully restored.

The bronze statue will remain clearly visible above the boards.

Ink damage

The temporary cover is required because the clean-up process is not a simple matter, as ink has seeped into the stone making it very difficult to restore.

Discussions are being held with specialists to see how the graffiti might eventually be removed from the Grade II listed statue.

The stone effect metal cover, which repeats the dedication and Tennyson poem on the original plinth, has been jointly commissioned by CV One, the city centre's management company, and the city council.

'Important monument'

Peter Collard, CV One's Project Liaison Manager said: "It is very sad that the statue has suffered at the hands of vandals.

"We are not sure at this stage how long it will take to clean the plinth and since Godiva is such an important monument to the city, we have commissioned this piece of wrap-around artwork to protect her and look good at the same time."

The cover is due to be erected on 16 December.