Crowdfunding campaign to be launched to get commemorative statue to Sir Terry Pratchett

Emily Brand, who lives in Fordingbridge, set up the petition in September to gather support for the idea and the petition has been clocking up signatures in support of campaign ever since.

“We have just over 2,300 supporters on our petition now, which is just amazing,” she said. “I’ve also been in contact with artist Paul Kidby, who has expressed an interest in being commissioned to create the artwork, but that would depend on us raising enough money for the statue’s creation. Hopefully we will be launching a crowdfunding campaign soon to start raising funds to continue forward.”

The campaign has received the backing of the author’s family.

A spokeswoman for the family told the BBC he would “undoubtedly” have found the amusement “in almost any statue”.

She said: “Sir Terry always said he would like to be useful in death, so a statue where a pigeon can stop for a well-earned rest would have amused him no end.”

Emily added: “I’m very grateful and excited to have the support of Sir Terry’s family for the project, as it wouldn’t have been right to go ahead without their blessing.”

Pratchett, who lived in Broad Chalke, died in March aged 66 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His final novel in the Discworld Series, The Shepherd’s Crown, was released in August.

To sign the petition go to change.org and search for 'Terry Pratchett' and 'statue'.