THE idea of putting up a statue of Bolton's football legend, Nat Lofthouse, has brought a fantastic response from fans

The Mayor, Councillor John Walsh, said: "I would be thrilled to see a statue of Nat outside the Reebok. He has been a remarkable servant to Bolton and the Wanderers."

The plan for the 9ft statue is being masterminded by a group of Wanderers fans in Canada who want to raise £40,000 for the project.

Stephan Czartorynsky, the man behind the idea, said the bronze statue would be made by a Canadian sculptor and shipped to England, where it was hoped Nat would unveil it outside the Reebok stadium.

The Canadian fans have already received donations from all over the world.

Mr Czartorynsky said: "This has really amazed me; it's brilliant stuff. Everyone loves Nat and it's only right we honour him."

The Mayor said: "It would be a fitting tribute to Nat. I would be happy to endorse such a statue and would help in any way I can."

And since the Bolton Evening News reported news of the statue campaign, fans have been sending in comments agreeing with everything the Mayor has said.

Ray White, of Leigh Road, Westhoughton, wrote to say: "A bronze statue of Nat Lofthouse for the Reebok Stadium . . . what a wonderful idea!

"After a magnificent career as a feared striker for the Wanderers and England, he went on to become a wonderful ambassador for the Wanderers and his home town of Bolton.

"Let's hope the inscription will read Sir Nat Lofthouse OBE 'The Lion of Vienna'.

Mrs T Garvey, of Canada Street, Halliwell, has family in Canada and regularly sends them cuttings from the Bolton Evening News. She said: "How great it would be to do this for Nat Lofthouse. He certainly deserves it."

She added that her family in Canada were in the Canadian Supporters Club and said: "We really hope this comes off. If ever a man deserved it, Nat does." It would make a lot of old geezers happy."

Andrew Bennett said by e-mail: "I think it is a wonderful idea to honour Nat in such a way. Nat represents everything that is Bolton Wanderers.

John Simkin went even further, suggesting Nat should be depicted holding the FA Cup. "Nat is a true legend in the game, and his record as a goalscorer for both club and country are without equal," he said.

"I still cannot believe he has not been knighted for his exemplary services to football in general and to his one-and-only and hometown club. To have a bronze statue of Nat given pride of place at the Reebok is entirely within the powers of Nat's many thousands of fans at home and abroad.

"I would therefore urge everyone to join forces and make it happen. They don't make them like that any more! "

Many years ago Nat presented a young schoolgirl with her end of term prize at Brandwood CP School.

The girl was Catherine McNicholas. She said: "I shook his hand and got his autograph and I was thrilled to bits. He was my hero then and still is.

"A statue is the least that the people of Bolton can do to honour our most famous player. How long do we have to wait for 'Sir' Nat Lofthouse?"

Ernest Ford, of Esther Fold, Westhoughton, said: "Being a religious supporter of the Wanderers in the days of Barrass, Moir and my idol Nat, I say 'God speed to the suggestion of a statue to that great man'."

Jim Wear also joined the call. "I think that a bronze statue in honour of Nat Lofthouse in recognition of his service to Bolton Wanderers and England is a very fitting tribute and much deserved."

Taddy, a life long Wanderers fan, e-mailed simply: "Great idea, let's do it."