A FAMOUS sculptor gave people a first glimpse at his almost-completed statue of a Walton war hero.

John Doubleday has created a life-sized tribute to Walton soldier Private Herbert Columbine, who died in the First World War.

A host of dignitaries were on hand to see Mr Doubleday unveil the tribute at his Maldon workshop, including the Essex High Sheriff.

Mr Doubleday said: “It is progressing well and people seem to be very pleased with how it is going.

“It was great to see their reaction as it was unveiled.

“I have done a lot of public pieces of work in my time but this one means a lot to me.

“Herbert Columbine was a very brave man who deserves to be remembered.

“But more than that, this statue is symbolic of the private soldiers who gave everything and won the war for us."

The statue was masterminded by Walton resident Michael Turner, who helped to raise £50,000 towards the project, but died of a sudden heart-attack before it was completed.

The statue will be completed by August 2014, when it will be installed on Walton seafront.

One visitor at the clay unveiling on Saturday was Herbert Columbine’s great great nephew, William Columbine.