Potteries designer Lorna Bailey is producing an exclusive range of memorabilia to raise money for the Fred Dibnah Memorial Fund.

The Lancashire-born star died, aged 66, in 2004 but relatives and friends want to keep his memory alive by raising funds to build a bronze statue in his home town of Bolton.

Sheila, the wife of the celebrity steeplejack, approached Lorna Bailey Artware in Wedgwood Street, Burslem, because she is a family friend and has always been a fan of her work.

Around £25 from the sale of each piece will be donated to the memorial fund.

Lorna has just completed the first of three figurines, which will be produced as both everyday and limited editions.To mark the occasion, Fred’s widow Sheila, pictured, visited the company yesterday (Thursday) to view the finished product.

The completed figurine displays Fred standing with his famous pocket watch, whereas the next will show him pressing a claxon. The final piece of the set will be teapot in the shape of Fred -his head and cap forming the lid and the spout showing him pushing a chimney over. Despite becoming a reluctant celebrity in 1979 when he was spotted by a TV crew, Fred retained his passion for old-fashioned values and methods. He often visited North Staffordshire for steam engine shows and expressed his admiration for the area. This is not the first time the company has produced Fred memorabilia. In 2005, Sheila was a presented with a specially designed hippo, with flat cap, glasses, waistcoat and slippers in honour of her “hippo” nickname for her husband.

Sheila, aged 49, said: “I supplied pictures of Fred to help construct the figurines. The way they have been reproduced is so true to life they brought a tear to my eye. Even the shape of the ear is accurate.

“I believe Fred would have been impressed too. The pottery industry and Stoke-on-Trent were very close to his heart.”