Judi Dench backs campaign for soldier's statue

Dame Judi Dench has thrown her support behind a campaign to immortalise a World War I hero in his hometown.

The veteran actress is backing a drive to erect a statue in Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex in memory of Private Herbert Columbine, who died in the trenches in France just months before the war ended in 1918.

He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military decoration for valour, for his efforts in a battle with German troops.

Officials at the Royal British Legion have been raising money to fund the statue project, and Dench helped out by donating a signed photograph to bring in bids at auction.

The statue is due to be unveiled in 2014.