A former Pembroke Castle guide is campaigning to instate a statue of one of the building's most famous residents in the town.

Henry VII, the first Tudor King was born in the castle and lived there until he was 11- years- old.

Local resident Mel Phillips is now looking at ways of putting up a statue to commemorate the link. She has won the backing of the manager of the castle and is now exploring ways to fund the project and asking the town’s residents what they think of the idea.

“This all started many years ago when I was working as a guide at the castle,” explained Ms Phillips.

“I was showing a party of visitors around and one man turned to me and said: 'Where’s your statue? I live in Dorset and we have more than one statue of Thomas Hardy, and he was only an author and poet. You have the first Tudor King but no statue!'

“It took a tourist to open my eyes and realise that we hadn’t got one. I now need to find out whether the people of Pembroke would support it.”

Castle manager David Ramsden said he thought the idea was “brilliant”.

“I think it should go where everyone can see it,” he said. “Perhaps at the gateway to the town at the East End roundabout.”

Local MP Simon Hart added: “I think Mel’s idea is a great one and it would be wonderful for the tourist trade in the town to make more of the Henry VII link.

“I am now helping her to explore avenues of funding and to drum up support for the scheme.”

*Let Mel know what you think of her idea for a statue in the town – contact her on MelaniePhillips@ talktalk.net.