PLANS are being drawn up to build a statue of Reading West MP Martin Salter who is standing down and quitting politics at the general election.

The Chronicle understands a committee of Mr Salter's political allies has been meeting in secret to decide on both a location for the 20 foot high monument and a sculptor to take on the epic task of preserving the eternal Labour rebel's image for posterity.

Shortlisted places for the plinth include the Reading Festival site, the roof of the Madejski Stadium, platform 4 at Reading Station, on a waterbound hummock in Kennet Meadows, or attaching the statue to the superstructure of Reading West railway bridge so that Mr Salter's gaze will be permanently fixed on Oxford Road, at the heart of his constituency.

But the favourite proposal, we are told, is to have Mr Salter's figure, fishing rod in hand, sitting on the side of a pond in Forbury Gardens.

It is understood the idea was put forward by a former Reading MP who wants to remain anonymous but has suggested cash from Strasbourg could be forthcoming to help boost the public donations.