The late British comedy legend Victoria Wood is to be commemorated with a statue in her home town of Bury in Lancashire, it has been reported.

Wood, a stand-up comedian and actress responsible for many extremely popular shows in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s including ‘Acorn Antiques’ and ‘Dinnerladies’, died in April this year after a battle with cancer at the age of 62.

Her brother, Chris Foote Wood, has now launched an online appeal to raise £20,000 after he got approval from the local council after he met bosses to discuss plans for a permanent tribute to the town’s famous daughter. The statue will be erected in Library Gardens in Bury town centre.

Victoria WoodVictoria Wood passed away in April 2016

Wood was born in nearby Prestwich and went to Bury Grammar School for Girls. She later attended Birmingham University, where she studied drama and made her TV debut while still an undergraduate.

More: Victoria Wood “spent her final days at home with family”

Council leader Rishi Shori said in a statement: “Victoria was a national treasure and a major talent in a variety of areas - actor, writer, comedian and singer-songwriter. We feel it's only right that there should be a fitting tribute to her in the borough in which she was born.”

The council is not paying for the sculpture, the money for which is being raised through a crowdfunding site that has already reached £5,000, but it will contribute to the cost of its upkeep. Fans will be able to vote from a list of designs for their preferred look for the statue, which include her sitting at a piano performing ‘Let’s Do It’ to her character Bren from ‘Dinnerladies’.

Foote Wood said: “I thought since she died I would like something permanent for her. I class myself as one of her biggest fans, I'm in awe of her achievement. I knew she was well-liked, but I had no idea… [that] people who first saw her 30 or 40 years ago would still be singing her praises now.”

More: Victoria Wood dies after “short but brave” battle with cancer, aged 62