A First World War ‘Tommy’ statue will not be moved to Burnham’s Drill Station because someone is defecating on the site.

Burnham Town Council is looking for a place to install its There But Not There statue permanently to mark the centenary of the First World War.

At a meeting, the council made an initial agreement to re-home the metallic Tommy – one of just three in the district – at its offices in Chapel Road.

Another suggested site was the Drill Station in High Street, but the council says it is “having problems” with the area.

Town clerk Sarah Grimes said: “I received suggestions the statue might go where the Drill Hall site is, as that does have a connection with the First World War.

“However, I do not think that would be a very good site as we are having a lot of problems there. Some horrible person has been defecating on the bench at the Drill Station and this is happening regularly now.”

A council member of staff is having to clean up the area after it has been fouled. Speaking at the meeting, Burnham mayor Wendy Stamp said: “I don’t think it is very appropriate to put the Tommy there.”

Ms Grimes added: “A site I suggested to the mayor would be out near the council’s gardens where the bench is in Chapel Road.”

The Chapel Road site was a major part of memorial services on Remembrance Sunday, where a beacon was lit at an evening ceremony.

The council says it is still open to suggestions on other locations.