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Andy statue could be on the way
A STATUE to commemorate cartoon strip character Andy Capp could still be on the way - as long as locals want it.
The people of north Hartlepool will be asked if they want the statue of Andy Capp, who was created by Hartlepool man Reg Smythe.
A consultation, in the form of leaflets being delivered to every house in the area, is being carried out by the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast to regenerate the Headland.
Councillor John Marshall, Chairman of the North Hartlepool Partnership, explained: "There has been a lot of debate in the past about whether there should be an Andy Capp statue on the Headland.
"The North Hartlepool Partnership is prepared to explore such a scheme, but only if there is clear support for it among local residents.
"Since the partnership comes to the end of its life next March, as far as we are concerned this really is the last opportunity for something to be done, so I would strongly urge all residents to have their say by completing and returning the consultation leaflets."
If there is clear backing for a statue, the partnership will write to the Daily Mirror - in which the Andy Capp cartoons were first featured in 1957 and where they still appear - asking if the newspaper would be willing to contribute to the cost of the project.
It is estimated that the statue would cost about 20,000, would be five feet high and made of bronze, and would, subject to planning permission, be sited on the seafront near the Harbour of Refuge pub.
The sculpture would be created by Shropshire artist Jane Robbins, who created a small-scale plasticine rough model when the idea of an Andy Capp statue was discussed several years ago by the then Headland Town Council.
The closing date for the return of the completed consultation forms is Friday, August 18. All the completed forms will also be entered into a free prize draw for a 25 shopping voucher.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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