THE sun shone in Colchester as hundreds of people gathered to see the unveiling of a statue to commemorate two sisters linked to a world-famous nursery rhyme.

A statue of Jane Taylor, who wrote a poem which later became the lyrics to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and her sister Ann was unveiled in Colchester High Street on Saturday afternoon.

It was revealed by the High Steward of Colchester, Sir Bob Russell, the city’s outgoing mayor, John Jowers, and four schoolchildren from North Primary School.

About 400 people descended on the city centre to see the statue, sculpted by Mandy Pratt from Ardleigh, welcomed to its new home.

Gazette: Team - Sir Bob Russell and sculptor Mandy Pratt with the statueTeam - Sir Bob Russell and sculptor Mandy Pratt with the statue (Image: Seana Hughes)

Sir Bob told the crowd the statue is “dedicated to the children of the world”, before inviting the choir of North Primary School to sing the nursery rhyme.

The former MP, who led the fundraising drive which made the project possible, thanked the “many people who have been involved in this journey”.

“I hope that this statue will be viewed with pride by residents of Colchester, a prestigious landmark, and will encourage people from all over the world to visit Colchester,” he said.

The statue is just 300 yards away from the Taylor family's former home in West Stockwell Street, where the family lived between 1796 and 1811.

Gazette: Choir - schoolchildren from North Primary School sung Twinkle, Twinkle, Little StarChoir - schoolchildren from North Primary School sung Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Image: Seana Hughes)

Jane wrote a poem called The Star in her bedroom in 1806 and the words of the first verse were later put to a French folk tune to become Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

The well-known nursery rhyme was sung by about 80 people, led by the school choir, at a ceremony in Colchester Town Hall’s mayoral suite later on Saturday afternoon.

Sir Bob was delighted to receive well wishes from the Princess of Wales last week ahead of the unveiling of the monument.

Gazette: Proud - Sir Bob gave a speech in Colchester High StreetProud - Sir Bob gave a speech in Colchester High Street (Image: Seana Hughes)

He was passed on a “best wishes” message from Catherine by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, who on Sir Bob’s behalf had informed the princess of the statue.

“I will take this as a blessing - one of royal approval,” Sir Bob said.

The statue project cost more that £90,000 which was been funded entirely by public donations and fundraising.