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This was the moment High Wycombe’s iconic Red Lion was removed from the High Street, taken away in a bid to be restored to its former glory.

It is part of a long-term restoration project spearheaded by the Bucks Free Press and leading town heritage groups.

Once a proud landmark of the town, with more than 200 years of history, the statue has been neglected in recent years and left to become a crumbling relic in desperate need of repair.

And today's development signals a victory for the hundreds of campaigners who joined the Bucks Free Press in calling for our Red Lion to be saved.

Made famous for being the backdrop for Winston Churchill’s post-Second World War speech, it is hoped the renovation work will give the lion a new lease of life allowing it to continue to watch over our town for years to come.

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Earlier this morning, expert woodcarvers lifted the iconic figure down from its portico next to Iceland and Poundworld and transported it back to their workshop to survey the damage.

The cracked and rotting lion will take weeks to dry, with key stakeholders now discussing the best plan to secure its long term future.

The development signals a victory for the hundreds of campaigners who joined the Bucks Free Press in calling for our Red Lion to be saved.