Local heroes selected for portrait bench

A third local hero to be immortalised in steel in Dover has been chosen by the public, and people will soon be able to spy the figures as part of an innovative national art project from charity Sustrans - the final figure will be James Bond author Ian Fleming.

In November, it was announced that three life-size two-dimensional steel figures would stand alongside a wooden bench on Dover's promenade. The bench is being gifted to Dover to mark the River Dour Greenway, which is providing a way for the community to make more of their everyday journeys on foot, bike or scooter. The Greenway will stretch from Buckland Bridge through to Dover Promenade.

The scheme is part of a national project from Sustrans, creating new everyday walking and cycling routes in communities across the UK. The national project received £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund, with part of that money making its way to Dover alongside local funding from Kent County Council and Dover District Council. Dover Harbour Board has kindly agreed to locate the bench on its land overlooking the sea.

Two figures were chosen in agreement with Sustrans. The first was Dame Vera Lynn, English singer-songwriter and actress who sang the wartime classic 'The White Cliffs of Dover'. The second was local hero Jamie Clark, who brought the Olympic Torch into Dover, and was our town's first Torchbearer on 18 July in celebration of London 2012.

A third figure was to be chosen by public vote. The nomination shortlist was Cuthbert Ottaway, Ian Fleming, Henry II and James I, and we can now confirm that Ian Fleming was the winner with almost 45% of the vote. Ian Fleming lived in St Margaret's Bay, and included Dover and the surrounding area in several of his books. In the third James Bond novel, Moonraker, a chapter is set at the White Cliffs of Dover.

Members of the public who voted were entered into a draw, and two winners were selected at random by Cllr Sue Nicholas, Chairman of DDC. A Diamondback Overdrive bike (supplied by Cyclelife) was won by Elleanor Scott from Sandwich, and a JD Bug Pro scooter (provided by Halfords) was won by Phil Stewkesbury from Dover, who has donated it to Dover Lions. The prizes were presented at Dover Gateway at an event attended by a range of partners and guests.