Businessman Jez Anderson is hoping support will snowball to achieve a permanent memorial in Deal for entertainer Sir Norman Wisdom.

Mr Anderson, 49, of Play It in King Street, is driving forward a project to put up a larger-than-life statue of Sir Norman in the centre of the town he loved.

Sir Norman, who died on October 4, aged 95, spent part of his childhood in Deal.

Mr Anderson, one of his greatest fans who regularly met and corresponded with the star, is urging people to sign a document supporting the project and to join the dedicated Facebook page he recently set up. It already has 600 friends.

He is seeking people prepared to join a committee to get behind the cause and enable fund-raising, anticipating the costs at £55,000.

The former retained firefighter is also hoping a local builder will step forward to sponsor a plinth.

He is in touch with sculptor Graham Ibbeson whose work Sir Norman admired and had said would be his choice of craftsman should a statue of him ever be commissioned.

Mr Anderson can be contacted at his shop where signatures of support are being gathered. Telephone 01304 380380.

* For full story buy the East Kent Mercury this week.