Larkin statue is unveiled as climax of anniversary events

The 7ft bronze will stand on the concourse at Paragon Station and was created by the sculptor who designed the statue of Larkin's friend and fellow poet, Sir John Betjeman, at St Pancras Station in London.

Its unveiling is the culmination of a series of events that have been held in the city over the last 25 weeks in celebration of Larkin's life and work.

The statue captures the former Hull University librarian dashing for a train, clutching a trilby hat with a manuscript tucked under his arm and his gabardine mac blowing in his wake.

He made many such journeys and they were often an inspiration for some of his best-loved poems.

Sculptor Martin Jenkins said: "I wanted to include movement in the piece as Larkin is often thought of as thoughtful and slow moving.

"Here I have him in motion coming out of the hotel, looking at and rushing towards the train as described in the opening line of The Whitsun Weddings, when he wrote 'I was late getting away'.

"The site for the statue is perfect as it needs space to be viewed from a distance and then to allow people to come close to view it in more detail."

The 80,000 cost of the project has been funded through a combination of donations from individuals, businesses and organisations, and support from Hull Council.

The statue was commissioned by the Philip Larkin Society and is being gifted to the people of Hull as a permanent cultural asset for the city.

The chairwoman of the Larkin Society statue committee, Carole Collinson, said: "We have received incredible support from so many people for this new sculpture for Hull, from many individuals and companies in the city and far beyond, as well as support from well-known Larkin fans such as Tom Courtenay, Alan Ayckbourn and Maureen Lipman. We know they will all be very proud."

The ceremony will start at noon and will include the first performance of Begin Afresh, a fanfare for Larkin composed by Nathaniel Seaman and performed by trumpeter Anthony Thompson.