Statue of comedy star Victoria Wood to be erected in her home town

A site for a statue of the much-loved comedian Victoria Wood has been agreed in her home town.

Her brother Chris Foote Wood has launched an online appeal to raise the £20,000 needed and has met council bosses in Bury, Lancashire, to discuss the plan for a permanent tribute for the star.

The mother-of-two died from cancer in April aged 62.

The memorial will be built in Library Gardens in Bury's town centre.

Council leader Rishi Shori said: "Victoria was a national treasure and a major talent in a variety of areas - actor, writer, comedian and singer-songwriter.

"We feel it's only right that there should be a fitting tribute to her in the borough in which she was born."

She was born in Prestwich and went to Bury Grammar School for Girls.

Mr Foote Wood said fans would want to come to see the statue and pose for selfies with it, just like they do with Eric Morecambe's statue on the seafront in Morecambe.

A crowdfunding site at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/chris-footewood has raised £5,000 towards the cost.

The council will not pay for the sculpture but will assist with its upkeep.

Fans will be able to vote for their prefered design from a list.

Mr Foote Wood suggested one possibility could be of his sister at the piano singing Let's Do It, another as 'Kimberley's friend' in a beret and raincoat or as her character, Bren, from the show Dinnerladies.

He said: "I thought since she died I would like something permanent for her.

"I class myself as one of her biggest fans, I'm in awe of her achievement."

He said he was "astonished" by the public's reaction to her death, saying: "I knew she was well-liked but I had no idea.

"I didn't realise people who first saw her 30 or 40 years ago would still be singing her praises now."