A PRECIOUS piece of Keighley's heritage has been returned to its rightful place.

Contractors yesterday restored a stone statue of Jesus to the historic Butterfield family Mausoleum, in Utley Cemetery.

The statue was wrenched out of position by stone thieves more than a year ago. It was recovered intact early last year after it was abandoned along with other pieces of stone taken from nearby tombs.

The heavy statue decorates the top of a 119-year-old mausoleum, which was built for the Butterfields of Cliffe Castle.

Friends of Utley Cemetery spokesman Christine Dobson said: "We were incensed when this damage was done a year ago. How low can you get to steal from the dead?

"We're all passionate about this. We're glad that the statue is back, because it's part of Keighley's heritage.

"It's also about respect. We spent all last year marking the start of the First World War and a lot of the people buried here were supporting their family members throughout that war. They shouldn't be forgotten."

Bradford Council paid for the piece to be replaced.