A LIFESIZE statue of one of Britain's top comedians has been unveiled.

Cheeky chappie Max Miller was born in Brighton and spent much of his life in the area until his death in 1963.

Stars from the stage and TV were among hundreds of people at a ceremony yesterday to mark the event.

Max Miller lookalikes from all over the world were also in Brighton to celebrate.

The bronze £30,000 statue stands near the Theatre Royal in Brighton and was commissioned following a long-running campaign by the Max Miller Appreciation Society.

Comedian Norman Wisdom unveiled the statue, watched by a host of famous faces including Roy Hudd, June Whitfield, Danny La Rue, George Melly and Danny Baker.

The unveiling was followed by a celebration lunch at the Brighton Corn Exchange, which included a three-course meal, grand raffle and entertainment.

Max was a stand-up comic during the Thirties, Forties and Fifties and played in large theatres. He also made films and wrote and sang his own songs.

He was known for coming on stage dressed in a flower-patterned suit with plus fours and a slightly tilted trilby hat.

The orchestra would play his most famous song and signature tune called Mary from the Dairy.