Leaders behind plans to erect a statue of legendary pilot Amy Johnson on Herne Bay seafront have yet to gain planning permission – despite already booking a member of the Royal Family for the unveiling.

Prince Michael of Kent, cousin to Queen Elizabeth, has been secured by organisers to attend the revealing ceremony.

But bosses have only recently applied for planning permission for the bronze piece, which will be unveiled in mid-September.

Organiser Jane Priston said: “We are still on track for Prince Michael, but the only thing that will stand in the way is planning permission.

“It has been a unconventional process because I booked the unveiling before I started on the bronze or got planning permission.

“I had to do it that way – if we waited until we got planning permission, we would be unveiling the bronze in 2018.”

Mrs Priston, of Buller’s Avenue, says the statue will be built on the seafront between the bandstand and the pier.

She said the application for planning permission was made in late June.

Mrs Priston added: “Our planning application is in and we will be doing everything we can with the council.

“Fingers crossed no one will object, but these things take time.

“It is going to be tight and tense, but hopefully we will make it.”

Mrs Priston, who has been leading a campaign to raise cash for the statue, is still looking for another £2,000 towards the unveiling ceremony.

She hopes to erect an information board next to the piece and fund a small air display at the unveiling event.

Mrs Priston added that the bronze, which is being cast in Ramsgate, is now nearing completion.

“I have done the project all backwards, but have driven it forward like a steamroller..." - Jane Priston

She said: “The pace is really picking up now in terms of pulling everything together for the big day – there has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes.

“The idea for the statue is that on a busy day it will blend into the crowd and in the evenings there will be a silhouette there – almost like a ghost of Amy.

“I have done the project all backwards, but have driven it forward like a steamroller.”

The closing date for public comments is Friday, August 5.

If planning permission is gained, it is set to be unveiled on Saturday, September 17.

Visit www.amyjohnsonhernebay.com for more details.