A pair of mystical statues submerged in a Kent river have been found to be damaged beyond repair.

The eye-catching and intriguing underwater sculptures have long been admired by visitors to Canterbury, nestled among the reeds of the Stour near the Westgate Towers.

But a recent inspection of their condition has found they have been badly – and mysteriously – broken and cannot be salvaged.

However, the world-renowned sculptor who created and installed them 15 years ago has now vowed to make a stunning replacement.

Jason deCaires Taylor, from Faversham, is celebrated across the globe for his extraordinary creations, including the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada.

He had hoped to restore the Canterbury feature, but has already started work on a replacement after discovering how severely damaged the statues were.

He learned of their condition after being contacted by The Canterbury Commemoration Society, which also told him two local businessmen had offered to pay for their repair.

Society chairman Stewart Ross explained: “I became aware of the Alluvia’s plight only when preparing a talk on the statues of Canterbury.

“I learned they were damaged and wondered whether they could be restored.

“So I made some enquiries and got in touch with the city council and Jason Taylor, whose studio-workshop is in Faversham.

“The council willingly gave the go-ahead for us to restore the pieces, and Jason agreed to undertake the work, with local businessmen Paul Abbott and Paul Roberts sponsoring.

“But now they are not repairable he has kindly offered to create a new sculpture for the same price as the repair, but probably as a single figure closer to the original Ophelia inspiration.

“That work has begun and the new Alluvia, made from recycled glass and with much-improved LED lighting, is due to be installed in early September.”

Mr Taylor, whose artistic career started with him spraying walls with graffiti, was denied a place at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in Canterbury but went on to hone his talent at the London Institute of Arts, where he gained a BA Honours in sculpture in 1998.

Later as a scuba diving instructor, he began developing his signature artistic style, with his unique work now widely appreciated across the world and earning him numerous awards.

He has produced more than 1,200 public terrestrial and underwater sculptures, which are visited by thousands of people every week.

His Moilinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada is now listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.

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