A tribute to the late comic Tommy Cooper is on the cards for his former Sussex home.

Eastbourne councillor Gary Potter and the niece of the fez-wearing comedian are behind plans to put up a statue to him in the town.

Tommy was a familiar sight in Eastbourne for decades until his death in 1984, when he collapsed and died on a live TV variety show.

He had bought a holiday home near Motcombe Park with his wife, Gwen, who was born in the town.

For the past ten years, Tommy's niece, Sabrina Light, has run Cooper's Magic, a joke and magic shop.

Sabrina, whose father, David, was Tommy's brother, is now backing the campaign to honour her uncle.

She and Coun Potter, who as a child knew the star, have set up the Tommy Cooper Memorial Fund.

Details of the statue are being kept secret for the moment.

Coun Potter said: "I can tell you the Tommy Cooper Memorial Fund has been set up and there will be an announcement within the next two weeks. We are all very excited about it."

Sabrina said: "I moved here because my husband is a local man, not for any other reason, but we love it here and I can see why Tommy liked it so much."