Peter Pan statue dubbed ab-fab by actress Joanna Lumley

Actress Joanna Lumley unveiled a statue of Peter Pan yesterday in the town which inspired the character's creator.

Author JM Barrie spent time as a child at Moat Brae House in Dumfries, and later said it was "an enchanted land" which was "certainly the genesis" of his work Peter Pan.

A fundraising campaign was launched last week by the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (PPMBT), which hopes to draw in 4 million to turn the Georgian mansion - which had been threatened with demolition - into an international centre.

Yesterday, a 12ft wooden statue of the boy who battled pirates and could fly was unveiled in Dumfries town centre. The statue is made from spruce with a sandstone plinth.

Ms Lumley, who is the trust's patron, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be here today to be part of this fantastic achievement. The statue is absolutely wonderful and a real delight for the town and people of Dumfries. I am amazed by it."

PPMBT project development director Cathy Agnew said: "The People's Project has worked for three years on the idea of having a statue on the bypass to alert the public to Dumfries' association with JM Barrie and Peter Pan, and it's great it has come to fruition today."

Mark Jardine, chairman of the People's Project, said: "Joanna was absolutely fantastic and it is great to have her on board to promote Peter Pan and Dumfries and Galloway."