Laurel & Hardy immortalised into bronze statues

London, April 20: Legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy have been immortalised into bronze statues in Cumbrian town where Stan Laurel was born.The fundraisers spent 10 years raising 60,000 pounds for the sculpture, which will be placed outside the Coronation Hall theatre in Ulverston.

The statues, designed and created by Graham Ibbeson, were unveiled by comedian Ken Dodd, 81. In a partnership lasting 31 years, the pair Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy acted in 106 films spanning the silent era until the 1950s. The occasion was attended by hundreds of fans 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," the BBC quoted Dodd as saying. "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,” said Mr Ibbeson. "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," he added. ANI