The little-known Tony Blair waxwork in Army uniform

Chelmsford Museum says the young Sir Tony Blair model came from a now defunct waxwork company

Sir Tony Blair has been no stranger to public appearances since resigning as prime minister in 2007.

Few appearances, however, are as unusual as his permanent residence in Essex.

Since 2000, Chelmsford Museum has owned a waxwork model of the New Labour leader, but dressed in the uniform of an Essex Regiment soldier from 1959.

The model came as news to John McTernan, Sir Tony's former political secretary, who when contacted by the BBC said: "This had me chuckling over my morning coffee."

The museum is also home to a waxwork - albeit of more questionable likeness - modelled on comedian, actor and musician Hugh Laurie.

Sir Tony Blair's waxwork is holding a 7.62mm self-loading rifle and wearing a Bergen rucksack

Sir Tony's model is wearing the attire of a soldier of the 1st Battalion, 3rd East Anglian Regiment of 1959, while on jungle patrol.

The waxworks - including that of Laurie - were sold to the museum by now defunct company GEMS Display Figurines, which acquired and marketed second-hand models.

GEMS typically sold dummies that previously belonged to Madame Tussauds.

Chelmsford City Council said it could not confirm whether the two models ever graced the halls of any Madame Tussauds attractions.

"New Labour always backed our armed forces so there's a poetic justice about the waxwork's final tour of duty," said McTernan, who served in Sir Tony's government between 2005 and 2007.

The 56th Regiment of Foot would have worn this uniform around the time of the French Revolutionary Wars

Despite the poor resemblance, the military collections assistant at the museum confirmed the figure in 1700s attire was modelled on Laurie.

He is dressed in a field officer's coatee of the 56th Regiment of Foot.

The uniform would have been worn by soldiers in the French Revolutionary Wars - not dissimilar to the robes the actor pulled on as Prince George in Blackadder the Third.

Madame Tussauds and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change are yet to respond to the BBC's request for comment.