HUNDREDS of Preston North End fans turned out on Saturday for the long awaited unveiling of the Splash statue of footballing legend Sir Tom Finney.

The £200,000 statue, which has been eight years in the making by sculptor Peter Hodgkinson, is a solid bronze figure complete with water fountain of the famous splash photograph taken at a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 1958.

People gathered at Deepdale for the ceremony before the club's final pre-season fixture, against Blackburn Rovers.

It will serve as a lasting monument to the PNE star who joined the fans with chairman, Derek Shaw, Mr Hodgkinson and Mayor, Coun Pat Woods at the unveiling.

He said: "I'm really speechless because I think it's a great honour. It's more than 40 years since I stopped playing and, now to have this beautiful statue, I thank people for the support I have had over the years."