A MEMORIAL garden and statue in honour of Jack Walker was due to be unveiled by his brother Fred at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club today.

The garden has been created in front of the Blackburn End of the ground together with a specially-commissioned bronze statue of Mr Walker which takes centre stage in the memorial area.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Mr and Mrs John and Sheila Williams, was also set to be present at the ceremony this afternoon.

Council bosses opted not to erect their own memorial after club bosses said they would be arranging for a statue to be cast.

Mr Williams and then council leader Malcolm Doherty both agreed at the time of Mr Walker's death last August that is was more appropriate for the club to arrange tributes.

The scheme has the backing of fans, who want something similar to the famous Bill Shankly statue which is situated outside Liverpool's Anfield ground.

Fans have contributed to the cost of the project through a series of donations.