The leader of Bolton Council has announced that a protective steel fence will be placed around the war memorial in Victoria Square later today.

The decision follows calls for statues up and down the country to be removed following the Black Lives Matter Protests.

A two metre high steel Heras fence will be erected around the memorial to protect it from vandalism.

Cllr David Greenhalgh said: "My colleagues and I will simply not tolerate any vandalism or damage to our memorials to those who have given their lives for our country, as we have seen happen during other protests in other towns.

"That is why we are taking this precaution of protecting our Cenotaph. We will not be governed by mob rule and a media with an agenda, and we call on the Government and the police to stand firm against those who seek to infiltrate these protests with violent and decisive objectives.

"Lockdown rules are clear, they need to be enforced. We, as a Council, have made it clear we do not support these large gatherings at a time when a virus is claiming the lives of thousands of people. It is irresponsible and reckless, and threatens a second wave."