Site earmarked in Bury

A statue to Victoria Wood is to be built in her home town of Bury.

Her brother, Chris Foote-Wood, has launched a crowdfunding drive to raise the £20,000 needed, and is already almost a third of the way towards the target.

And fans will be able to choose which pose she is remembered as: either sitting at a piano, or in mac and beret.

Bury council has offered a site in the gardens opposite the town's library after its leader, Rishi Shori, had a meeting with Foote-Wood.

Councillor 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.

'It was great to meet and discuss the options with her brother Chris, who was very keen that the monument should be in Bury. This is the ideal location, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to identify a site which ticks all the boxes. I think this will become a tourist attraction in its own right.'

He added that the council won’t be paying for the sculpture, but will maintain it after it is built.

Foote-Wood said he expects to be completed by early summer next year, adding: 'I am sure that Victoria’s statue will be very popular with her numerous fans and will attract many visitors to the town.'

Victoria was born in Prestwich then moved with her family to Bury, attending Bury Grammar School for Girls.

Published: 11 Aug 2016