Hearts war memorial will return

Hearts war memorial was built by Hearts Football Club in 1922

The Hearts war memorial in Edinburgh, which is due to be moved for tram works, will return to its current position, councillors have confirmed.

The monument at Haymarket junction is to be put into storage later this year and a temporary memorial will be laid in Atholl Crescent until it returns.

It quells fears it was not to return to its historic home.

Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh City Council deputy leader, said "it was always to return to Haymarket".

The memorial was built by Hearts Football Club in 1922 to remember the footballers who had signed up to fight in World War I.

'Fitting tribute'

Mr Cardownie said: "It was important to allay the fears of both Hearts supporters and the wider public.

"The memorial was always to return to Haymarket, the best place to be seen to remind people of the sacrifice of these brave men, particularly on Remembrance Sunday.

"It is disappointing that some people chose to misrepresent the council administration's position on this issue for political gain.

"This matter is too important to the people of this city for such shenanigans."

Jenny Dawe, Edinburgh City Council leader, said: "The war memorial is one of Edinburgh's most important monuments.

"It is a fitting tribute to the bravery, selflessness and sacrifice of Edinburgh young men who gave their lives in the first world war."