Return to base: Eros is brought gently down to earth in Piccadilly Circus

Eros, which is 100 years old next month, is lowered on to its plinth in central London yesterday. The statue was removed for repairs five months ago after being vandalised in 1991, the second time in five years. Westminster City Council hopes to deter vandals with floodlights and security cameras. The statue is a memorial to the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury for his philanthropic work with poor children.

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