Torn down Edward Colston statue recovered from Bristol harbour

The torn down statue of Bristol slave trader Edward Colston has been recovered.

The monument was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter march in the city at the weekend, before being thrown in the harbour.

It was recovered by Bristol City Council earlier today (Thursday 11 June), who say it needed to be removed in order to maintain a “working harbour”.

Watch: The moment Edward Colston's statue was removed

The local authority said it will be temporarily stored in a “secure location” before being placed in a museum.

It will be displayed alongside placards left by protesters in front of the empty plinth.

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Mayor Marvin Rees, posting on his blog, said he hoped recent events would lead to a better understanding of Bristol’s history and ties to slavery.

The recovery - in pictures: