The war memorial statues were replaced by villagers in Guston, near Dover, after the originals were damaged.

Earlier this year, earlier statues of a Tommy and a woman at war on the village green were decapitated by vandals.

With the help of the local community, the villagers returned the statues to the village green in time for the Remembrance Day commemoration at the weekend.

Labor MP for Dover and Deal Mike Tapp, himself a former veteran, said: “It’s great to see these important memorial figures back.”

He praised the people of Guston saying: “Well done to the fantastic community who have worked to make this happen.”

The replacement statues were made of steel to prevent any future vandalism.

Janet Baldwin, who helped organize their return, told the BBC: “There’s no way we couldn’t have them back for this weekend, we just had to.

“I didn’t want the people who vandalized them to think they could get away with it,” she said.

“I’m proud of the community that replaced them.”

The village pub also helped raise money for replacements.

Chef Dave Hubbard of the Chance Inn, which is opposite where the statues were placed, said: “It’s brilliant to see them back where they belong, I’m gutted.”

He said: “It’s overwhelming to see the community come together and well done to the businesses who helped restore them back to their rightful place.”

A blessing for the return of the statues is expected to take place in the coming weeks.