A HISTORIC Dunbar artillery landmark was removed from public display on Tuesday to be restored.

The 25-pounder gun, which sits on land overlooking the North Sea off Bayswell Road, was acquired by the town in the early 2000s, having previously been in position at Edinburgh Castle.

Dunbar Community Council (DCC) and East Lothian Council had for many years sought to have a gun positioned in a prominent position in the town to mark the "part played by artillery in the long history of Dunbar".

Four 25-pounders had previously been placed on the town's barrack square at the north end of High Street in 1958 before eventually disappearing from view. One had been left in the town's possession but was in a poor state.

Stephen Bunyan, chair of DCC, eventually managed to secure a gun from 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers), which was in position in Dunbar by September 2005 on the restored base of the remaining gun - while an information board was also unveiled nearby.

The community council has recently sought the restoration of the gun and Mark Paterson - current Regimental Sergeant Major of 105 Regiment - approached Mr Bunyan to offer to arrange for its refurbishment.

The gun has now been taken back to the regimental HQ at Colinton where RSM Paterson and S/Sgt Adrian Hales will carry out a voluntary restoration project. It is hoped that the gun will be back in place in time for VJ Day on August 15.

Mr Bunyan said: "I am delighted that this solution to the problem is in hand because I know that an excellent restoration of a very historic gun from the First World War period has just been completed by S/Sgt Hales.

"It is gratifying that this restoration is being done in the Queen's Jubilee year as Her Majesty is the Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. This gun remains as a lasting memorial of the part played by artillery in the long history of Dunbar."