A bronze statue immortalising the comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy has been unveiled 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.
Comedian Ken Dodd, 81, wrote 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.
Hundreds of people attended the unveiling, including members of The Sons of the Desert fan club who helped raise funds for the sculptures.
Dodd said he was "tickled" to be chosen to unveil the memorial.
"Laurel and Hardy made the world laugh. They were the kings of comedy," he said.
Fan Eric Woods, from Widnes, Cheshire, said: "The magic of Laurel and Hardy was that they portrayed two ordinary guys who were just trying to make their way in life.
"Life gave them a few knocks but they picked themselves up and tried again. There is a little bit of Stan and Ollie in all of us." |
