Bobby Ball is set to be honoured with a £100,000 statue in his adopted hometown of Lytham.

Bobby Ball

Bobby Ball

A fundraising campaign will be launched on Just Giving next week in memory of the late comedy star - who sadly died in October aged 76 - with the tribute set to sit in the town's Lowther Gardens.

As quoted by the Blackpool Gazette, Bobby's widow Yvonne said: "A walk and sit in Lowther Gardens was a favourite pastime but always ended up taking longer than anticipated and would turn into a ‘promote Lytham’ exercise, while Bobby happily chatted and let people know how lucky he felt to be living here."

The star was a patron of the Lowther Pavilion theatre - which is set in the gardens - and he performed at the venue a number of times over the years.

He also worked on a team as part of the first fundraising efforts for the theatre and gardens.

Now, Fylde councillors - in agreement with his family - have approved plans for a bronze, one and a half times life-size statue based on his appearance on his 40th birthday.

It's said the figure will have one leg slightly forwards while he pulls on his right brace with his right thumb, and a "twinkle in his eye".

Fylde Council leader Councillor Karen Buckley added: "Bobby was a very special, incredibly talented and unique individual who was truly adopted by the locals of Lytham St Annes.

"His lasting legacy of kindness and joy means he will be sadly missed and this statue will ensure he can go on giving that joy to visitors and residents of the area long after Bobby took his final bow and left the stage.

"We believe that Lowther Gardens is the perfect place for Bobby to be remembered and to remain part of the community as well as in our hearts."

And Lowther manager Tim Lince hailed Bobby as "more than just a local comedian".

He said: "Bobby was a great supporter and helped us fund-raise, he wasn’t just supportive of the professional acts, but the amateur groups as well.

"He was a real community player, and he would often drop in with his mischievous laugh coming down the corridor. He is a great, great loss to Lowther.

"The volunteers, the staff and everyone else would like to see something done to honour his memory.”