CELEBRITY friends and fans of Monty Python have helped the fundraising appeal for a statue in Colwyn Bay reach the halfway mark.

After initial appeals from fans including Steve Coogan, Taskmaster's Alex Horne, Jo Brand and Emma Thompson, former Formula One world champion Damon Hill has joined the campaign, which can be found here.

Also on-board are David Bowie's son Duncan Jones, the cast of Armando Ianucci's West end production of Dr Strangelove and Abergele's Peter Bennett-Jones - the man who produced classics like Mr Bean and the Vicar of Dibley, as the total has broken the £59,000 barrier.

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The campaign needs to raise £120,000 and the Pythons themselves have continued to push the campaign, with John Cleese tweeting: "I am designing a special feature for the statue where passers-by can pay for an argument. I should warn you all that the argument will go on for a long time."

Meanwhile Eric Idle posted his support for the nude organist as the pose of choice.

Sculptor Nick Elphick from Llandudno has been chosen to immortalise Jones once the funding is in place and said he feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. 

"It's almost as surreal as the comedy, I keep touching wood, I can't believe this is actually happening.

"They came to me quite a while ago. When these sort of things happen I try not to get excited because it's difficult to get the funding.

"But they have already raised a huge amount. I've already started doing some little sketches and designs.

"Talking to Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam - the creative juices I've been getting from them feels completely surreal.

"I feel a huge weight on my shoulders but I know I'm going to do something amazing for them. I'm just so lucky and blessed."

Nick believes it will be a huge boost for Colwyn Bay.

"It's going to be incredible for the area.," he said. "Colwyn Bay has a huge history and the fact Terry's family have come here, he was a huge influence in keeping the theatre alive here.

"Colwyn Bay Pier and promenade has such history. I remember when I made a sculpture for Lemmy here, he created a lot of his music right here on the pier, so to be able to pay tribute to another icon here is just amazing."