History was made today when a statue of Her Majesty the Queen was unveiled in a town centre to celebrate our longest-reigning monarch.

The statue, commissioned by Gravesham council and sculpted by Douglas Jennings, was jointly unveiled by the Rt Rev James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester, and Cllr David Turner, honorary freeman of the borough and leader of the authority.

Cllr Turner said: "The whole community values the Queen and what she does for the country and we now have a very significant commemoration to recognise that.

"It is excellent, we are very pleased."

Rt Rev James Langstaff thanked everyone for coming to the unveiling, describing it as a "remarkable occasion" and a "great privilege" to be apart of the ceremony.

The pair revealed the statue to the public in St Andrew’s Gardens, Gravesend, with Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven in attendance, representing The Lieutenancy of Kent.

The statue portrays the Sovereign in her Order of the Garter robes and is thought to be the only seated sculpture of the Queen in existence.

Originally commissioned in 2016 to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, the statue will commemorate the Queen, who became the longest-reigning British monarch in September 2015, and the world’s longest-reigning current monarch in October 2016.

In February last year, she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee commemorating 65 years on the throne.

The statue, made of bronze, will be visible to pedestrians, passing motorists and from the river.

It is 2.57m tall, one-and-a half times life-size, and weighs 700kg and stands on a seven tonne, 1.52m plinth made of Portland Stone.

The cost of the statue was £225,000 which has been entirely funded by local businesses and individuals including Edinburgh House, Esquire Development Ltd, G&M Motors, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Hatten Wyatt, Istead Rise Community Association, Kimberly–Clark, LEJ Properties, Port of London Authority, and Reef Estates Ltd as well as other individuals and businesses who have requested anonymity.

Cllr David Turner added: "Traditionally we recognise big royal events and we see this as a significant royal event and now this statue will be here for a 100 years or more and on the ring road for people to see as they drive pass.

“The statue is there to acknowledge Her Majesty’s service over a very long period and shows the town’s desire to have a symbol of loyalty and admiration.

"In 1897 Queen Victoria statues were produced to mark Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and the new statue is a grand tribute to mark Elizabeth’s long reign.

"My deep gratitude goes out to all who contributed to the cost, to the officers who managed the project and, of course, to Douglas Jennings who has delivered for us another world class piece.”

The sculptor, Douglas Jennings, received the Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture in 2015, for the statue of Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujii, which is also in St Andrew’s Gardens, Gravesend on the river front.

He has developed detailed figurative monuments for public figures in the world of sport, public service and politics and is well known for his highly skilled, lifelike sculptures and drapery.

He said: “ I am really pleased, it has been a great unveiling and there seems to be a good response to the statue from the community.

"It is good to bring the community together and for Gravesend to put this together is amazing.

"There was a lot of research put into it.I worked with Kensington Palace in the historical wardrobe department a few times and they really helped me out with getting everything correct.

"Thanks to their advice the level of detail I was able to include holds much symbolic worth.”

Gravesham Borough Council approached Mr Jennings about designing the commemorative statue of Her Majesty following the success of the memorial statue he created of Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujii, that is also in the gardens.

"The site where the statue is placed will enhance an already beautiful and tranquil spot.

"I look forward to seeing how the statue becomes part of the area and enables those in the community to celebrate a monarch that has reigned over three generations in such a steadfast and inspirational way.

"As Head of the Commonwealth it is fitting the Queen’s statue is placed by Squadron Leader Pujii, who represents all those from the Commonwealth who served alongside Britain in all conflicts.

“As the Queen’s 65th year reign was recently celebrated and many milestones have been met, including longest serving monarch, it felt fitting to include many of the symbols associated with the monarchy.

"I look forward to seeing how the statue becomes part of the area and enables those in the community to celebrate a monarch that has reigned over three generations in such a steadfast and inspirational way" - Douglas Jennings

"It was a wonderful opportunity to have the Queen seated wearing her official Order of the Garter robes and regalia, echoing the style of several statues of her grandmother Queen Victoria.

The statue is now available view in St Andrews Gardens.