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| Statue honours Laurel and Hardy | Statue honours Laurel and Hardy |
| (about 18 hours later) | |
| A bronze statue immortalising the comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy has been unveiled in the Cumbrian town where Stan Laurel was born. | 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 was placed outside the Coronation Hall theatre in Ulverston. | |
| Comedian Ken Dodd, 81, wrote a tribute to mark the occasion. | 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. | In a partnership lasting 31 years, the comedy duo made 106 films spanning the silent era until the 1950s. |
| Laurel and Hardy made the world laugh Comedian Ken Dodd | Laurel and Hardy made the world laugh Comedian Ken Dodd |
| Hundreds of people attended the unveiling, including members of The Sons of the Desert fan club who helped raise funds for the sculptures. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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." | "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." |
| 'Uplifted my soul' | 'Uplifted my soul' |
| The statue was designed and created by Graham Ibbeson who is also known for his work on the statue of Eric Morecambe. | 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. | 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." | "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. | The statue is the centrepiece of a major project to improve the centre of Ulverston. |