A MINIATURE statue of footballing legend Nat Lofthouse has been unveiled by Bolton Wanderers.

Sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn spent five weeks making the 18-inch maquette, a scale model that will be used as a template for the statue.

The design is a replica of the famous photograph of Nat holding the ball as he leads out Bolton on match day as captain.

The full-scale 9ft sculpture will be unveiled at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday, August 27 — on what would have been Nat’s 88th birthday.

Club chaplain Phil Mason said: “We are absolutely delighted with what Sean has done. It’s superb. The detail is just incredible — it really captures Nat, his strength, his character, his great sense of purpose on and off the field and it’s good because it has that sense of movement.

“We now begin the second phase of our fundraising efforts. The people of Bolton have responded magnificently and now we are looking to gain the support of major companies and organisations.”

Nine unique maquettes have been produced, which will be used to help raise the money needed to cover the cost of the bronze statue.

Mr Hedges-Quinn said: “The maquette took me five weeks to do, working on and off. The most difficult thing was getting Nat’s posture, balance and movement.

“The club badge was quite tricky, and doing Nat’s boots, because you have to look at how he did his laces up.

“I was excited when I was asked to do Nat’s statue as he is a legend.

“I wrote a list of the 10 most influential footballers and Nat was the last one on the list who did not have a statue made of him. He is the jewel in the crown.”

Cllr John Walsh, who has been involved in fundraising for the statue, said money was still needed, but the club is confident the cash will be raised thanks to people who have vowed to donate and various ongoing fundraising activities.

The statue will be erected in a garden, which will be at the south-west corner of the stadium.

Senior partner Mark Head, from Bradshaw Gass and Hope in Silverwell Street, is behind the design for the garden.

He said: “The whole idea was to create a garden that Nat was the focus of and where people can have memorial plaques and sit and be quiet and reflect.

“There will be planting of shrubs around it. The whole place is a meeting place for those from the past and present and for the young ones coming up.”

To donate visit the website natlofthouse.co.uk.