Saturday saw a new bronze statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel unveiled in the Hotel Gardens at Neyland where its plinth has been conspicuously empty since the theft of the original statue in August 2010.

The Brunel statue was the only one of its kind in Wales and was the last work of Robert Thomas, of Barry, Wales' greatest sculptor.

Sadly, Robert Thomas died six weeks before the statue was officially unveiled in July 1999.

Mr. Thomas was an internationally-renowned sculptor who created a number of remarkable 'free figure statues', including the one of Aneurin Bevan in Cardiff. He also did a number of busts of Welsh public figures, including one of Lord Parry and also George Thomas (the latter can be seen in Cardiff City Hall).

Using the original mould, the statue has been recast by the sculptor's son, Ceri Thomas, and is an exact replica of the original which was widely regarded as an iconic piece of public art.

Neyland's Mayor, Clr. Maureen Molyneux, who was Mayoress at the time of the original unveiling, performed the ceremony, which was watched by a crowd who had braved the wet weather.

The Mayor was joined in taking the salute by Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Robin Lewis, Rev. Alan Chadwick and Mayor's chaplain, Rev. Mike Martin.

Music was provided by the Corps of Drums, Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir and Neyland Ladies Choir.

The ceremony was followed by a lecture given by local historian, Clr. Simon Hancock, in St. Clement's Church Hall, titled 'Neyland and Brunel - A Personal Relationship'.