Comedy duo Morecambe and Wise will be celebrated with the unveiling of the first statue of them together.

The eight foot bronze statue coincides with the 75th anniversary of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise first appearing on stage together - in 1941.

The unveiling will take place in the domed entrance of Blackpool's Winter Gardens, as it was dubbed their "spiritual home" by their closes friends.

They performed more than 1,000 times in the town throughout their career, with Morecambe's widow Joan saying it was a day she - and Wise's widow Doreen - "never expected to happen".

The sculpture, which cost £75,000 to make and funded through donations, will be unveiled by Mrs Morecambe, their eldest son Gary, daughter Gail, and a representative of the Wise family, on October 14.

It was sculpted by Graham Ibbeson, who said he was "delighted to have brought the boys back together so the nation can see them as they should be".

He added: "Morecambe and Wise are the greatest double act to have ever graced British TV screens and both Eric and Ernie's families agree their spiritual home is Blackpool.

"Eric and Ernie's families have been involved right through the process and they love the statue which means an awful lot.

"I feel sure it will become a hugely popular and much-loved attraction in Blackpool for generations to come."