The elderly people, the older grandads and grandmas whose life was the village, who never left it, for them it was traumatic

Villager

The monument was given by the American forces in 1954 to thank people who were forced out of eight villages around Slapton Sands.

In order to keep the invasion plans secret 3,500 people moved out just before Christmas 1943.

They were given just six weeks to leave, with no explanation.

The monument was donated in 1954 - but two flagpoles and a plinth are all that currently stands on the site.

Village 'insult'

In January 2001, storms tore apart the coast road at Torcross.

Council officials moved it because of fears that it would be lost.

But it has remained in the corner of a car-park at a council waste depot ever since.

People say it is an insult to villagers, and the Americans who presented it.

Storms made the roads collapse

One said: "The elderly people, the older grandads and grandmas whose life was the village, who never left it, for them it was traumatic.

"There were heart attacks, premature deaths and suicides - those who couldn't face coming back to the homes they were forced out of for nearly a year.

"Apart from the farmers, they received no compensation."

Devon County Council says finding a new site for the monument has been a drawn-out process.

Spokesman David Andrew said: "It has taken longer than the county council expected, but be very clear - it is going back."