Capp statue tribute a step closer

Artist Jane Robbins has created a rough model of the statue

Plans to erect a statue to commemorate a famous North East comic strip character have moved a step closer.

Andy Capp, the flat-capped, working class hero, was created by Hartlepool artist Reg Smythe, who was born in the town's Headland, and died in 1998.

The North Hartlepool Partnership carried out a postal survey asking locals what they thought of the 5ft-tall bronze statue costing £20,000.

Of the 527 people who responded, 406 said they were in favour of the statue.

A debate about whether to erect the statue has raged for a number of years.

The North Hartlepool Partnership has now written to the Daily Mirror, where the Andy Capp cartoons were first featured in 1957, asking if it would be willing to contribute to the cost of the project.

Loveable rascal

The sculpture would be created by Shropshire artist Jane Robbins, who created a small-scale Plasticine rough model when the idea of an Andy Capp statue was discussed several years ago by the then Headland Town Council.

North Hartlepool Partnership board member, Councillor Edna Wright, said: "I am delighted that there was such a clear majority in favour of an Andy Capp statue.

"The loveable rascal is one of the great cartoon characters.

"A statue will not only be a fitting tribute to the creative legacy of Reg Smythe, I'm sure it will also play an important part in attracting visitors to the Headland."

It is hoped the statue can be completed by March 2007 when the Partnership comes to the end of its life.