A lifesize staute of bouncing bomb creater Sir Barnes Wallis has been unveiled in Herne Bay.

Barnes Wallis, who lived in the town and died in 1979, tested the bombs between Reculver and Herne Bay during the Second World War.

The statue on the corner of Canterbury Road and Beacon Hill forms part of the new Herne Bay Cultural Trail.

Chris West, of the Herne Bay Town Partners, said: “The statue of Barnes Wallis is the jewel in the crown of the trail and represents his association with the town.”

The sculptor, Tom White, flew in from America for the unveiling.

Earlier in the day, a mural of famous faces was unveiled at Cain’s amusement arcade on the seafront by TV presenter and Popstars jusge Nicki Chapman, who was brought up in the town.

It features the faces of people with a connection to the town such as Ken Russell, Bob Holness, Bob Hope and Dave Lee.

The mural is one of three on the cultural trail painted by Penny Bearman. The others are Historical Herne Bay from the Bronze Age onwards and the History of Transport.

The cultural trail is being paid for by a grant from the People’s Millions/Big Lottery and is due to be complete by the end of December.

Mr West said: “The Herne Bay Cultural Trail is the people’s cultural trail, created by the community for the community and it is something of which everybody can be proud.”

The official launch of the cultural trail will take place on May 16, next year.