A statue of cult comic Frank Sidebottom in Trafford has been damaged by a fire believed to have been started deliberately.
Unveiled in October 2013, the bronze statue has since become a focal point of Timperley Village with many people visiting the area specifically for a glimpse of the life-sized replica.
On Monday (26 April), firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to reports that the statue, which sits at the junction of Stockport Road and Park Road in Timperley, had been set on fire at around 4.30am.
The fire was quickly extinguished but the statue now has a series of noticeable burn marks around the face and left hand.
Charred debris could also be seen at the base of the figure.
The statue was paid for by donations by locals who set up a fundraising campaign in order to pay homage to the Greater Manchester comedian.
Neil Taylor, a former councilor for the Timperley ward, helped with the fundraiser and said he had been left feeling 'confused' by the vandalism.
“It’s quite disappointing really,” Mr Taylor told the Manchester Evening News .
“I just find it very bizarre that someone has tried to set fire to a piece of metal - it’s not normal behaviour and I have no idea what’s going through their minds.”
The statue has now been professionally ‘fixed up’ following the act of vandalism.
“Thankfully nothing too serious has happened,” Mr Taylor added.
“The damage that has been done is immaterial and just cosmetic and someone has now been over to clean him up.
“But I have no idea what someone’s doing at 4.30am in the morning trying to set fire to a bit of bronze - it makes no sense whatsoever.”
Born in Ashton-on-Mersey in Sale, artist and musician Chris Sievey created the comic persona of Frank Sidebottom in the 1980’s and quickly became a popular panel head on radio and television.
During his career, he was a frequent correspondent for Granada Reports and presented his own show - Frank Sidebottom's Proper Telly Show - for Manchester-based television station Channel M in 2006.
Sievey retired the character in 2008. He died in 2010 at the age of 54 following a short battle with cancer.
“The statue is a figurehead of Timperley and is a well-known landmark,” Mr Taylor adds.
“A lot of people have a love for Frank and it’s been fantastic to see how well the vast majority of people love the statue.
“People will travel from all over the world to get a picture with the statue.
“It feels like it’s been there for an eternity.”
