WARRINGTON town centre could become home to a statue of Joseph Priestley to help the borough land the 2021 City of Culture title.

To show its support to the town's ambitious bid, Warrington and District Arts Council (WADAC) has confirmed it will commission a new statue of the respected chemist credited with discovering oxygen.

After moving to Warrington in 1761, Mr Priestley became master of Warrington Academy and got married in the town.

The council has been informed of the request from WADAC and said it welcomed the 'ambition'.

WADAC chairman Margaret Tye, 89, believes it is critical for council chiefs to identify a location.

She said: "I was born and bred in Hull but have made my home here for nearly 50 years.

"Warrington deserves to succeed Hull as the next City of Culture.

"The town is packed with voluntary cultural societies, most of them unsung but with very active members.

"Most European towns, many of them a quarter the size of ours, will have a dozen or more public statues of local and national personages.

"Warrington has just three, Cromwell, Colonel O'Leary and Brian Bevan.

"Joseph Priestley is an international scientific figure whose name will be instantly recognised from Beijing to Buenos Aires.

"He did major work on electricity while living in the town, was master of the Warrington Academy at Bridge Foot, as well as being ordained a minister and getting married in Cairo Street Chapel.

"It is right that we should commemorate him.

"We are asking the council to provide a suitable central site for the statue and the arts council will raise the funds from the scientific companies in the area and from public subscriptions."

The council said it will be 'working with' WADAC as the idea 'develops'.

A spokesman added: "We have had an initial request from WADAC to find a suitable town centre location for a possible statue of Joseph Priestley.

"It's positive to see such ambition from the community, especially at a time when Warrington is bidding to become UK City of Culture for 2021 and we look forward to discussing the proposed plans."

The borough is among eleven areas battling for the title.