A botched war memorial which began sinking because of shoddy workmanship has been repaired.

The sculpture on Islington Green, just off Upper Street, began to appear crooked six years after it was erected in 2006 and an investigation last autumn revealed a serious failure in the concrete foundations.

Steel supports underneath the memorial, which was designed by Royal Academy sculptor, John Maine, were never placed in the foundations, causing the concrete plinth to crack.

The repair work has now been completed a week ahead of schedule and will be fully re-opened to the public at the end of the month.

Leader of Islington Council, Richard Watts, said: “When we learned that the original contractors had done such a shoddy job, I was completely livid. This memorial marks the contribution and sacrifice that so many Islington residents have made for their country.

“We owed it to them to repair the memorial quickly and I am very pleased that this work has been completed ahead of schedule.”

Armed Forces Champion and councillor for St Mary’s ward, Gary Poole, added: “The Islington Veterans’ Association noted their thanks to the council for taking action to address the issues with the memorial which will be officially rededicated at a ceremony on Armed Forces Day on June 28 and I hope people will join us then.”

The remaining fencing on Islington Memorial Green will be removed at the end of May after newly laid grass has had time to establish itself.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War and a number of events across the borough have been taking place to honour the occasion.