Blackpool honours star circus clown Charlie Caroli

One of Blackpool’s legendary clowns, who starred at the Tower Circus for 40 years, has been honoured in the town.

A six feet high (1.75m) glass fibre statue of Charlie Caroli has been unveiled in Blackpool’s Stanley Park.

Mr Caroli, who died aged 70 in 1980, performed at the circus from 1939 until 1979.

Councillor Graham Cain, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture said the clown was synonymous with the town.

The statue has been created by local artist Brian Nicholson.

His son Charlie Caroli junior said it was fitting that the statue has been placed in the park’s rose garden which his father liked to visit.

“It’s been set up so that my dad’s statue can still face towards the tower too, which is a nice touch,” he said.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk