Royal Marines sculpture rededicated on IRA bomb anniversary

The monument has been at the school since 2001, but had lain unforgotten for 14 years

A memorial to the Royal Marines has been restored and rededicated 26 years after an IRA bombing of their barracks in Deal.

The explosion at the barracks, then home to the Royal Marines School of Music, killed 11 bandsmen and injured more than 20 on 22 September 1989.

The memorial, or gate guardian, is outside Deal Parochial Primary School - a former marine training ground.

Former marines joined pupils, teachers and parents in a ceremony earlier.

The blast at the Royal Marine School of Music killed 11 bandsmen and injured more than 20 others

The gate guardian consists of a Royal Marines badge.

It had been in a state of disrepair and had all but disappeared under bushes before year six pupils at the school took on the project to renovate it.

Amelia Strathdee, who attends the school, said: "Before it was just all covered up and no-one could see it, but now we can all respect it."

The monument used to be on the side of one of the buildings in the North Barracks and marines paraded past it.

It was removed ahead of the demolition of the building and relocated at the school in 2001 on the former drill field of the marines' training ground.

Headteacher Justine Brown said the project had meant the children had made "a real connection" with the community and the "sense of history".