The £60,000 sculpture, which is being used to make a mould in silicon rubber before being cast in bronze, is expected to be finished in October this year and will go on show in Lytham St Annes, where the television star lived with his wife Tracey.

The project has been more than a decade in the planning and, by the time it goes on show, it will be 15 years since the Lancashire comedian's death.

Mr Ibbeson said: "I first approached Tracey about making the sculpture 11 years ago, so I've been involved all these years. I really admire Les's work.

"It was 15 years after Eric Morecambe's death that his statue was unveiled and this will be 15 years after Les's death so, in a way, it's fitting."

The sculpture is larger than life in more ways than one.

Mr Ibbeson said: "It's above life size, Les was 5ft 4in but I've made this 6ft tall. It's like a tree in that it doesn't just grow in height, it grows outwards.

"It's in a stand-up pose, as if he's telling a gag, so his arms are clasped and his mouth's to one side. When Tracey came along to view the sculpture last week she cried and said it brought all the memories back. To me, it's an affectionate portrait of Les Dawson."

Mr Ibbeson has created bronze statues of Cary Grant, Benny Hill, Eric Morecambe and Laurel and Hardy. In March he unveiled a statue of former cricket umpire Dickie Bird, which is to go on show in Barnsley.

His next project will be a statue of Maltby-born cricketer Fred Trueman, one of the finest fast bowlers in history.

Mr Ibbeson will also be showing his latest work with artist Ashley Jackson at an exhibition at 3 Albion Place in Leeds, running from June 6 to 8.