A LARGE statue is set to be unveiled in honour of two sisters who are said to have penned an iconic nursery rhyme in Colchester.

Jane Taylor and her older sister Ann are well known for being prolific writers, with Jane having published the children’s poem The Star in 1806.

The first verse of the poem was then put to the music of an existing French folk tune in the 1830s, resulting in the legendary Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. 

Gazette: Complete - the statue ready to be installedComplete - the statue ready to be installed (Image: Sir Bob Russell)

Today, the nursery rhyme remains as famous as ever, and Colchester is now set to commemorate the sisters' contribution in the form of a statue. 

The piece is set to be unveiled opposite the Town Hall in Colchester High Street on the 200th anniversary of Jane Taylor’s death, on Saturday, April 13.

Pupils from the North Primary School in Colchester will also be taking part in the unveiling of the statue. 

Gazette: Detail - close up of the statue of Jane and Ann Taylor Detail - close up of the statue of Jane and Ann Taylor (Image: Sir Bob Russell)

Former Colchester MP, Sir Bob Russell, the High Steward of Colchester, came up with the concept of the statue.

The total cost of the project came in at £90,000, with the entirety of the funds being raised from donations and fundraising.

Gazette: Ready - full length image of the new statueReady - full length image of the new statue (Image: Sir Bob Russell)

The statue was made by Mandy Pratt from Ardleigh and the mould by Des Stanley from Great Tey, while the statue was cast by Sculpture Services of Manningtree.

Sir Bob said: “The statue of the two sisters will mean Colchester will have more statues of females than of males – believed to be the only place in the country where statues of females out-number statues of males.”