Dodd statue planned for station

Ken Dodd was appointed an OBE by the Queen in 1982

A bronze statue of Liverpool legend Ken Dodd is to be erected at the city's Lime Street Station.

The bronze work will be put on the station's main concourse - and should be ready before the end of Capital of Culture year.

It has been commissioned by Merseytravel and will be designed by Liverpool-based artist Tom Murphy.

The artwork will show the veteran comic greeting the late Labour MP Bessie Braddock who died in 1970.

'Personal tribute'

The star is famous for performing with his feather duster - or "tickling stick" - and has built his shows around Knotty Ash, the Liverpool suburb where he was born.

Neil Scales, Merseytravel chief executive, said: "This is our personal tribute to a man who continues to bring laughter to millions of people.

"Lime Street is one of our most important gateways and, in terms of public art on our network; this will be one of the jewels in our crown.

"Doddy and Battling Bessie will certainly provide a unique welcoming committee!"

Repeated calls have been made to honour 80-year-old Ken Dodd over the years - and a campaign was recently launched for him to receive a Knighthood.

He was appointed an OBE by the Queen in 1982.