A portrait bench, featuring three of Croydon's most famous figures as chosen by the public, has been unveiled.

Actress Dame Peggy Ashcroft, musician and composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and comedian Ronnie Corbett are represented by life size portraits on the bench, which has been installed in Charles Street, next to a new walking and cycling route across the borough.

The bench celebrates the construction of a new cycle route from Wandle Park to Lloyd Park via the town centre and this morning, pupils from Kingsley Primary School cycled the route to attend the unveiling which was also attended by Deputy Mayor Councillor Badsha Quadir.

The new cycle route is part of the National Cycle Network and will connect into two existing routes; the Wandle Trail and Waterlink Way.

The project forms part of Connected Croydon, a £48m programme of improvements to the town centre's street scene, public spaces and transport links.

The portrait benches which are cut from Corten steel will rust and weather to become part of the landscape.

Bryn Lockwood from Sustrans, the charity that created the art project said: "The bench will raise awareness of the new route which enables the local community and visitors to make every day journeys by foot and bike."

Councillor Jason Perry, cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "This is a fun and quirky idea that will get people’s attention and encourage cycling and at the same time celebrate the impressive cultural heritage of Croydon.

"And what’s more, these figures were selected following a public vote, so it’s great to see our residents play a part in bringing this scheme to life."