Victoria Wood dies aged 62

Oscar-winning actor Dame Judi Dench has donated £1,000 to help fund for a statue of Victoria Wood in her home town of Bury.

The donation takes the appeal halfway towards its £20,000 target.

Ms Wood's brother Chris Foote Wood said it was a fantastic boost to the appeal.

The Bafta-winning comedian and writer died aged 62 in April.

She was born in Prestwich and lived in Bury until she was 18.

Ms Wood once dismissed the idea of being "national treasure" in favour of Dame Judi.

The Bolton actress Maxine Peake has paid tribute to Victoria Wood who died yesterday.

The pair appeared together in the Victoria Wood's sitcom 'Dinnerladies.'

Victoria Wood the queen of northern comedy has died at the age of 62.

Her family said she'd had a short brave battle with cancer.

Her talents were many - as a writer director, actor and comedian.

She won five Baftas and became a great favourite in comedy classics like Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies.

Our correspondent Rob Smith reports on that special brand of northern humour that made the world a brighter place.

Bolton actor Bernard Wrigley who acted in 'Dinner Ladies' with Victoria Wood asked her to write a poem for one of his books.

She wrote this verse about working in Barrow.

In 2011, Victoria Wood spoke to Granada Reports about filming her play 'The day we sang' in Manchester.

She describes how she got her big break at Granada working on her own show with her friend Julie Walters.