The brother of a borough comedian whose statue was toppled in a car crash has called for greater protection of the monument.

Chris Foote-Wood, brother of the late Victoria Wood, says he has written to council chief executive Lynne Ridsdale, to ask the local authority to install bollards in front of the statue.

On Tuesday, the council announced it would remove the statue, in Church Gardens, after it was knocked to the ground by a taxi on Monday night at around 10pm.

The vehicle sustained significant damage, and the driver was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries.

No arrests were made, police confirmed.

READ MORE: Bury: Victoria Wood statue knocked over in town centre

Bury Times: A statue of Victoria Wood, in Church Gardens, was hit by a taxiA statue of Victoria Wood, in Church Gardens, was hit by a taxi (Image: Newsquest)

The statue depicting the TV star was designed by sculptor Graham Ibbeson and installed in 2019 following the Prestwich-born comedian’s death in 2016, aged 62.

In a statement, Mr Foote-Wood said: “As the brother of Victoria Wood who inaugurated, helped plan and raised much of the money for her statue in Bury, I was naturally very concerned about the recent accident which knocked it down.

“I have written to Bury Council chief executive Lynne Ridsdale with a formal request to put to the council- that the council place bollards in front of Victoria’s statue to protect it from a similar occurrence in future.

“When we planned for the statue to be in a prominent place in the town centre and easily accessible to the public, we never imagined that anything would crash into it.

Bury Times: A taxi crashed into the statue on Monday eveningA taxi crashed into the statue on Monday evening (Image: Public)

READ MORE: Man arrested after cyclist knocked off his bike in Bury town centre

“Now that it has happened, hopefully without too much damage, it is essential that the statue be protected in future. It is an icon and a symbol for Bury as much as for Victoria herself.

“I plan to go to Bury very soon and see the damage for myself. I have asked the sculptor Graham Ibbeson from Barnsley if he could also come and assess the situation."

The memorial, which was unveiled by Mr Mr Foote-Wood with the council and Victoria’s estate, serves as a celebration of her life and work, who first found fame in the 1970s on TV talent show, New Faces.

The comedian went on to star in acclaimed sitcoms including Dinnerladies and Acorn Antiques as well as comedy sketch show, Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV.

A council spokesperson said it will consider Mr Foote-Wood's request.