A NEW statute commemorating the lives of the two sisters associated with a famous nursery rhyme has received the backing of the Princess of Wales.

Catherine has sent her “best wishes for the unveiling” of a statue in Colchester High Street commemorating Jane Taylor and her sister Ann, who are linked to the nursery rhyme Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

The “best wishes” message was sent by the Princess of Wales to Sir Bob Russell, the High Steward of Colchester, who has led the fundraising for the statue.

The message was passed on by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, who on Sir Bob’s behalf had informed Catherine of the statue.

Gazette: Statue - Sir Bob Russell with Des Stanley who made the statue's mouldStatue - Sir Bob Russell with Des Stanley who made the statue's mould (Image: Sir Bob Russell)

The former Colchester MP said: “It is fantastic to get such a warm message from the Princess of Wales. I will take this as a blessing, one of royal approval.”

Jane and Ann were prolific writers of children’s poems, including The Star, which was written by Jane in Colchester in 1806.

About 30 years later, the first verse was put to the music of a French folk tune and the poem is now universally known as a nursery rhyme which is sung by youngsters around the world.

The total cost of the statue project is more than £90,000 which has been funded entirely by public donations and fundraising led by Sir Bob.

Gazette: Support - the Princess of Wales has sent well-wishes before the unveiling of a statue in Colchester High StreetSupport - the Princess of Wales has sent well-wishes before the unveiling of a statue in Colchester High Street (Image: Press Association)

Sir Bob added: “The statue project would not have been possible without the involvement of four others in the team which has taken this forward – together with generous donations from a wide range of individuals and organisations, and fundraising activities, along with professional support.

“I am most grateful for the support and encouragement from a lot of people.”

The statue, sculpted by Mandy Pratt from Ardleigh, will be unveiled on Saturday at 3.30pm by four Colchester schoolchildren and will sit diagonally opposite Colchester Town Hall, to the east of Pelham’s Lane.

Sir Bob believes the statue of the two sisters will make Colchester the only place in the country where statues of women outnumber statues of men.

The Taylor family lived close to the town hall, about 300 yards away from where the statue will sit, between 1796 and 1811.