'Motionless' 007 wins world award

It took Chris Clarkson nine months to create his James Bond outfit

An actor from Greater Manchester has been given a "licence to still" after winning a top award in the World Statue Championships in the Netherlands.

Chris Clarkson, 29, from Stockport, became James Bond for the day, firing water out of his "Walther PPK".

Crowned the public's favourite living statue, he managed to stand nearly motionless for four hours at the event attended by about 300,000 people.

He said: "It's hard work, my whole body had to be tense, but it's great fun."

The actor and presenter, who has appeared in Hollyoaks and a Touch of Frost, has worked as a living statue for three years.

It is the second time he has competed in the championships, held in Arnhem every year.

"My James Bond statue took nine months to create.

Someone came and stubbed out a cigarette on me Chris Clarkson

"The plinth I was stood on held all my water and I had pipes down my trouser leg to ensure the water fired out of the BB gun.

"I made my own weapon by hollowing out the gun and creating a special circuit so the water would be pushed out when I pulled the trigger.

"People might think it's boring, but it's actually great fun.

"I was a little bit annoyed a couple of weeks ago when I was a tennis player in Leeds.

"Someone came and stubbed out a cigarette on me. That wasn't too funny, but on the whole I get a really good reception from people."

'Shock the audience'

He does not busk, but instead works at corporate events, and trains regularly.

"When someone starts out in the trade, I tell them to practise at home first.

Chris Clarkson says he will continue his work as a human statue

"Stand in front the television for an hour and a half without moving, they can then get a feel of what's it like.

"When you're there, and the crowds are round you, then it's a lot more fun.

"We are not motionless statues, we have to shock the audience by moving every now and then.

"The children in the audience at the championships absolutely loved it."

He first became a living statue to fill in for a friend who became pregnant, and since then, he says, he has had a lot of success.

The judge's winner at the World Statue Championships was Godeilieve Huys from the Netherlands.