Laurel statue unveiled
...and a bus will be named in his honour, too
A £37,000 bronze statue of Stan Laurel has been unveiled in the town where he grew up.Laurel's niece Nancy Wardell officially revealed the statue on Saturday in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, where Laurel's parents once ran the Theatre Royal.
Barbara Laurie, of the Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum, said: 'The culmination of the hard work of all those involved has resulted in this impressive statue, which will be a fitting tribute to one of Bishop Auckland's most famous residents.
'I'm sure the statue [created by sculptor Bob Olley] will not only delight our regular town centre users, but will also be an attraction to Laurel and Hardy fans throughout the country and perhaps even further afield.'
Laurel is also to received a less flattering tribute this week: having a bus named after him.
Stagecoach Northwest are naming the bus in Laurel's birthplace of Ulverston, Cumbria, on Thursday.
Published: 31 Aug 2008
