Work begins on new statue of Queen Elizabeth II

Andy Edwards has based the statue's design on photos taken during the late monarch's visit to Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1973

Work to create a new statue of Queen Elizabeth II has begun just days before what would have been her 98th birthday.

The structure is being made by renowned artist Andy Edwards and will eventually be displayed in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

The sculptor is basing his design on photographs taken of the late monarch when she visited the town in 1973.

It will include details like the famous Cambridge brooch, which she wore during her visit to mark the borough's 800th anniversary.

Mr Edwards, whose past work includes the landmark Beatles statue at Liverpool’s Pier Head, said he was honoured to have been awarded the commission by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

The Staffordshire artist added: “It is a huge responsibility but one I relish and undertake dutifully.”

Queen Elizabeth II visited Newcastle-under-Lyme on 25 May 1973

Mr Edwards said the design was informal in its presentation but the work would require “exacting standards” to make it a sensitive portrait of the late monarch.

• Listen: The Blurton boy bringing the late Queen back to Newcastle

“I know that many local people have recognized themselves in recently-republished photos from the visit to Newcastle in 1973 on which this statue is to be based. I hope that this tribute brings back happy memories to them,” he said.

“Queen Elizabeth, of course, brought happiness and comfort to a lot of people across the years. I hope that this tribute will remind and continue that."

A launch event for the statue’s creation was held at Castle House on Thursday, during which Mr Edwards worked on refining a terracotta wax model of Queen Elizabeth II’s head.

The £85,000 bronze-cast statue is expected to weigh one tonne and be an exact replication of how the Queen looked when she walked through the town centre in 1973.

It is being created to mark the 850th anniversary of the borough, and has been funded by Staffordshire firm JCB and developer Capital and Centric.

Andy Edwards began work on the statue during a launch event at Castle House

JCB chairman Anthony Bamford said: “Her late majesty paid many visits to Staffordshire over her 70-year reign, each one evoking very special memories for many thousands of people.”

John Moffatt, joint managing director of Capital and Centric, said it was pleased to support the creation of the landmark.

“It’ll be a touching tribute to the Queen – a timely nod to the past as we map out the town centre’s future,” he added.