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| Statue honours Laurel and Hardy | Statue honours Laurel and Hardy |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A bronze statue immortalising the comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy is being unveiled later in the Cumbrian town where Stan Laurel was born. | A bronze statue immortalising the comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy is being unveiled later in the Cumbrian town where Stan Laurel was born. |
| Fundraisers spent 10 years raising £60,000 for the sculpture which will be placed outside the Coronation Hall theatre in Ulverston. | Fundraisers spent 10 years raising £60,000 for the sculpture which will be placed outside the Coronation Hall theatre in Ulverston. |
| Comedian Ken Dodd, 81, has written a tribute to mark the occasion. | Comedian Ken Dodd, 81, has written a tribute to mark the occasion. |
| In a partnership lasting 31 years, the comedy duo made 106 films spanning the silent era until the 1950s. | |
| The statue was designed and created by Graham Ibbeson who is also known for his work on the statue of Eric Morecambe. | |
| Stan Laurel was born in June 1890 in Argyll Street, Ulverston, and returned to the town with Ollie in 1947 when the duo waved to a crowd of fans from the balcony of the Coronation Hall. | Stan Laurel was born in June 1890 in Argyll Street, Ulverston, and returned to the town with Ollie in 1947 when the duo waved to a crowd of fans from the balcony of the Coronation Hall. |
| Mr Ibbeson said: "I sculpted Stan and Ollie over a winter period a few years ago, it was cold and miserable in the workshop, however, when I took the cover off the boys every morning it uplifted my soul. | |
| "Stan and Ollie were looking down on me with grins on their faces, and I was looking back at the greatest clowns that have walked this Earth with affection and joyous memories." | |
| The statue is the centrepiece of a major project to improve the centre of Ulverston. |