A copy of a famous statue of poet laureate Sir John Betjeman, right, seen by train passengers at St Pancras Station in London, could soon be standing in a Wantage churchyard.

Wantage Town Council wants to put a £50,000 replica of the bronze artwork in the grounds of the Church of St Peter and St Paul, to honour the former town resident.

It has asked Vale of White Horse District Council for permission to install the figure near the church where Sir John worshipped.

The sculpture was designed by Combe-based artist Martin Jennings and was unveiled in the London railway station in 2007.

In the 1960s, Sir John campaigned against the demolition of the station.

He lived in Wantage from 1951 to 1972 and wrote two poems about the town, Wantage Bells and On Leaving Wantage.

The 2.2m high statue would look up at the church tower, where an 18th century weather vane he fought to restore still sits.

Deputy Town Mayor Fiona Roper said funding could come from grants and donations.

Last month, the town had its first Betjeman Literary Festival, with more than 2,000 visitors.

Festival organiser Jim Mitchell said: “(The statue) will give him his rightful place in Wantage life.”