Three heroes chosen for portrait bench

Residents of both towns voted to choose three famous faces out of a shortlist of nine from 41 suggestions.

Comedian Spike Milligan, who was stationed at Bexhill during World War II, will be joined by representations of popular Sidley Cricket Club stalwart Tyrone Wildman, who died in December last year, and the late Hastings BMXer, Richard Ball.

Life size figures of these three will be cut from steel and placed behind the bench on the new seafront path – a place for people to stop and rest on their journey.

The 2.2km route links two existing traffic-free paths – Galley Hill in Bexhill and Hastings promenade – to create a traffic-free route that is more than 5km long.

Kathy Wildman, Tyrone’s wife, said: “Me and the family are so proud that Tyrone has been chosen as one of the figures to appear on the portrait bench.

“It will be a great way for people to remember him. Tyrone would have been so pleased to have to been one of three.

“Thanks to everyone who voted.”

This new link is part of Sustrans’ Connect2 project, which was awarded £50 million by the Big Lottery Fund following a public vote in 2007.

Sustrans is the charity enabling people to make more of their everyday journeys by foot, bike and public transport, and the schem is being carried out in partnership with East Sussex County Councl.

Construction is planned to start in July, with the path due to open in November.

The bench will be unveiled at an official opening ceremony.