THREE marble statues stolen from St Helens Cemetery have been returned and staff are now trying to trace the graves they were taken from.

It is thought that the statues, which had been bolted to the graves, were stolen some time during the last couple of weeks. They were found in an entry off Harris Street, St Helens, on Monday morning, July 31.

Another statue of a winged angel -- in white marble and standing about 2 to 3ft high -- is still missing and the family who visit that particular grave several times a week are devastated.

Dominic Alexander, Cemetery and Crematorium Manager, said: "The heartless people who are stealing these statues have caused so much heartache and grief for the families who visit the graves. It's hard to imagine how anyone could even contemplate such an act.

"The statues are bolted to the headstones and are extremely heavy, so whoever is stealing these statues is very determined."

The recovered statues are the Sacred Heart, Virgin Mary and St Martin de Porres, and anyone who may know which graves they have been taken from is asked to contact Dominic Alexander on 01744454379.