Dandy character 'immortalised'

Dan meets his bronze likeness

A bronze statue of one of Britain's favourite comic characters is to be unveiled in Dundee, the city of his "birth".

Desperate Dan, who has appeared in virtually every issue of the Dandy since it first appeared in 1937, has been cast in an 8ft tall bronze statue to be unveiled by schoolchildren in Dundee city centre.

Dan is shown striding out with his faithful pet dog following close behind.

He is depicted being stalked by a catapault-wielding version of Minnie the Minx from rival comic The Beano.

Cow-pie guzzling Dan was created in Dundee

The latest issue of Dandy, in shops on Saturday, shows him packing his bags en route from Cactusville to Dundee, the home of publishers D C Thomson.

Dandy editor Maurice Heggie said: "The huge bronze of Desperate Dan striding across the city square will be the colossus of Dundee.

"It is a tribute to a Dundee character who has brought fun and laughter to decades of youngsters.

"The scale of the sculpture is fitting for a true comic giant."

The sculptures are the work of Angus artists Tony and Susie Morrow.

The £45,000 project was funded by the Dundee Partnership.

Mervyn Rolfe, chairman of the Dundee Partnership, said: "These sculptures are guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of young and old alike and are a marvellous addition to a revitalised city centre."

The statue will be unveiled on Thursday.