BREAKING NEWS: Market town to honour screen icon Dalton

In documents seen by the News, it has emerged that secret talks have taken place between the James Bond and Penny Dreadful actor and town officials.

It is understood that the 30-foot bronze artwork will depict the former Herbert Strutt pupil dressed as Prince Barin from his 1980 sci-fi movie Flash Gordon.

In other developments, council bosses also plan to rename a number of Belper streets in honour of the star.

Queen Street is set to be renamed 007 Way, while Chesterfield Road will become Daylights Avenue.

Cheapside is set to become Rocketeer Rise while Belper’s iconic River Gardens will become Mr Picklepant’s Park, in recognition of his role in the animated classic Toy Story 3.

In a separate move, the town’s cinema is set to show a season of Dalton’s lesser remembered screen outings, including Loony Tunes: Back in Action, Sextette and Naked in New York.

Dalton was not available to comment on the announcement last night, but his spokesman Ernst Stavro said: “Tim is absolutely ecstatic to receive this honour from the people of Belper and hopes to find some time in his busy schedule to come and unveil the statue when the commission is complete.

“He personally chose the Flash Gordon theme for the statue as it is his favourite from all of his films.”

OK - it was an April Fool. Well done to everyone that realised.