Designs revealed for statue to honour cat

Solomon the cat was well-known in Leigh and there are plans for a statue in his memory

These are the four designs being considered for the tribute to “local celebrity” Solomon.

They show a cat in a variety of positions, including sleeping and stretching.

People can have their say on which design should be used in an online poll, before the most popular design is announced next month.

Then the statue will be made and put in place as a lasting tribute to Solomon.

Leigh businessman Lee Robert McStein, who runs Monument Men, has been working on plans to create a memorial since Solomon died in May.

He said: “We plan to announce the final design on August 1.

“Following this we will then 3D print the statue in a plastic compound first then turn it into a physical statue using a technique called cold casting.

“This finalised statue will then be mounted along with a laser engraved plaque commemorating Solomon and will form part of a memorial.

“This memorial will hopefully be sited at one of his old haunts - which include Leigh Parish Church, the Turnpike Centre, Asda, As In Eden Community Centre, Leigh CE Infant School and the offices of Platinum Projects Europe on Walmsley Road.”

Solomon was often seen walking around Leigh town centre and was a regular visitor at several buildings in the area.

He became well-known in the town centre, boosted by photographs of him being regularly posted on Facebook.

His owners even set up a page of his own on the social media site, boasting 500 friends. People also used Facebook to pay their respects when Solomon died.

The interest in the cat led Mr McStein to do something to create a permanent memorial.

He described Solomon as a “little local celebrity” and a “very friendly, roaming cat”.

Donations and offers of support poured in after the Observer first reported Mr McStein’s plans to remember Solomon.

He said: “The project has received lots of support from many people in Leigh so far, with people mentioning it to me in the street when I’ve been in town and we are really looking forward to presenting the finalised statue and plaque in early September.”

To get involved with the project, contact Mr McStein via facebook.com/monumentmenofficial or by emailing [email protected].

Support for cat statue plans

Campaign to have statue of popular cat erected