Victoria Wood statue to depict Dinnerladies' Bren

Wood appeared as Bren in Dinnerladies, which ran from 1998 to 2000

Fans of Victoria Wood have voted for her memorial statue to depict Bren, the character she portrayed in the BBC One sitcom Dinnerladies.

The star's brother, Chris Foote Wood, launched a campaign in July to erect a life-size sculpture of the entertainer in her home tone of Bury, Lancashire.

The online poll conducted by Bury Council, which charged £2 to cast a vote, closed at midday on Monday.

Wood died in April at the age of 62 after a short battle with cancer.

Chris Foote Wood thanked everyone who voted in the poll, adding: "I always wanted Victoria's fans to decide which character they wanted for her statue."

The bronze memorial is expected to be unveiled in the spring.

A crowdfunding appeal to help pay for it has already raised more than £22,000 of its £30,000 target - with the total including the cost of casting and transporting the statue.

Dame Judi Dench's donation was described as a "massive boost" by Foote Wood

Dame Judi Dench contributed £1,000 to the fund last month.

Bren was a factory canteen manager in Dinnerladies, which was broadcast on BBC One between 1998 and 2000.

The character won the poll with 60% of the vote, beating "Kimberley's friend", another of Wood's comedy characters, which scored 40%.

'Famous daughter'

Bury Council has agreed to provide the site and be in charge of the maintenance. Wood was born in Prestwich but grew up in Bury.

The memorial is set to be built in Library Gardens in Manchester Road by May or June next year.

Council leader Rishi Shori said: "I'm really pleased that Bury Council has been able to support this project.

"Victoria Wood is one of the borough's most famous daughters and it is only fitting that there should be a permanent tribute in her home town.

"I hope when the sculpture is finally installed it will provide inspiration to others to follow their dreams."