Oh, well caught... essence of Fiery Fred captured in bronze

For non-cricket fans, this is Yorkshire icon Fred Trueman in full fast-bowling flight.

The 7ft bronze statue of "Fiery" Fred was unveiled in Skipton yesterday to cheers from about 400 people, among them sports fans and family of the late cricket legend.

It was created by Yorkshire sculptor Graham Ibbeson in a studio in his back garden in Barnsley, with the blessing of Mr Trueman's widow, Veronica.

The Truemans made the Yorkshire Dales their home in the 1970s, although Fred himself was born in Stainton, a village between Rotherham and Doncaster.

Mrs Trueman, 76, declared herself delighted with the statue as it was unveiled at the canal basin in the centre of Skipton.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted and Fred would be too. It's a great day for his family, friends and fans of cricket.

"I knew Graham would do a wonderful job; he's captured his character, his expression, right through to his bushy eyebrows and wild hair."

She added: "It's fantastic to see Fred back in Skipton standing in such a beautiful location, and it's wonderful to think it will act as a focal point for tourists, cricket fans and people living in Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales.

"Fred was a passionate Yorkshireman and he really loved this part of the world so it really is a great day for all his family, friends and fans of cricket."

The statue brought the memories flooding back for Yorkshire test umpire Dickie Bird, who said: "He'd be really happy, its a marvellous statue.

"He's got the action right and the aggression in his face is pure Fred. He looked exactly like that when he bowled.

"It takes me right back to those days when you'd see Fred with that look in his eye, knowing he'd bowled someone out. He'd be very proud."

The statue was funded by the Fred Trueman Appeal, which was set up by Northern Rail and Craven District Council three years ago, and cost about 90,000.

Steve Butcher, deputy director of Northern Rail, said: "The unveiling of this striking and powerful statue marks the culmination of three years of hard work to raise funds for the appeal and we are thrilled that is now finished.

"I must thank the Trueman family for their support, and Veronica in particular because she has supported this project from the start and has been tireless in her efforts to help with the fund-raising.

"The end result is a remarkable tribute to a true one-off, a cricketing legend and proud Yorkshireman who gave his all for the county and the country - as well as raising thousands for charity as well."

Trueman died in July 2006 at the age of 75. In his career he took 2,302 first class wickets at an average of 18 runs.

He was the first person to take 300 Test wickets.

Bronze tributes to the stars

Barnsley artist Graham Ibbeson has created bronze sculptures in towns and cities across Britain.

Among them are Yorkshire umpire Dickie Bird (in Barnsley), Laurel and Hardy (in Ulverston, Cumbria) and Cary Grant (in his home city, Bristol).

Probably his most famous creation is a statue of the legendary comic Eric Morecambe, which was unveiled by the Queen in the star's home town, Morecambe.

The editor of arts journal The Burlington Magazine recently argued that there were too many bronze statues and some should be pulled down.