The Shrubsole Memorial in Kingston’s Market Place is still missing its arm, after it was removed over safety concerns and to prevent further damage last year.

Previously used to carry a pail of water, the arm needed to be recast by experts and was expected to cost about £6,000.

The arm was removed after cracks appeared in the marble, at about the same time as the Market Place was undergoing a £3m refurbishment in March 2014.

The revamp has been complete for some time, yet the memorial still remains arm-less.

Kingston tour guide Julian McCarthy said: “I fear that there is a cost implication. The Market Place has now been refurbished. If the arm was removed for safety reasons then why hasn’t it been replaced?

“The memorial is part of our Victorian heritage. It has stood through two world wars and a lot of trouble and strife.”

It is not known what caused the damage to the memorial, but the council insists that it was not caused by contractors during the Market Place’s refurbishment.

A council spokesman said: “All we can say at this stage is that a budget has been identified and we’re putting the work out to tender shortly with a view to it being completed by the summer at the latest.

“It’s a complex piece of work and the statue will need to be thoroughly cleaned in the process to ensure it looks great.”

The Shrubsole Memorial was erected in 1882 by Queen Victoria’s favourite sculptor, Francis John Williamson, to commemorate former three-time Kingston mayor, Henry Shrubsole, who died in office.