DUDLEY'S statue of the town’s much-loved football hero Duncan Edwards is set to return to the market place.

It has been in storage while a major £6.7million redevelopment of the town centre has been under way.

But now that work on the market area is nearing completion, the statue is being put back however it will not be in its previous location.

It will be erected near the top of New Street, where the now-demolished toilet blocks used to be.

The statue was commissioned by Dudley Council 16 years ago to commemorate the England and Manchester United player who died in the 1958 Munich air disaster.

Its return is timely for fans who may want to pay their respects to the Dudley-born player - the air disaster was February 6 1958 and he died 15 days later on February 21.

Ongoing market place work means the statue will have an official rededication later in the year, after all the work is completed.

Councillor Judy Foster, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Duncan Edwards is one of Dudley’s most famous sons and his life and legacy is something we are all extremely proud of and he will never be forgotten.

“I am pleased that his statue is back in the market place which is undergoing significant work as part of our £6.7 million improvement scheme. We will officially rededicate the statue later this year as a fitting tribute to Duncan Edwards’ memory.”