Call to give Paddington a permanent home in Newtownards after statue becomes tourist mecca - town centre bench featuring children's favourite only one in Northern Ireland

The County Down town hosts a statue of the children’s favourite in its central square, featuring the beloved bear snacking on his favourite marmalade sandwiches while resting on a bench.

It’s one of more than 20 statues built around the UK to mark the release of last year’s movie Paddington In Peru, and the only one in Northern Ireland.

The statue has become a tourist hit, drawing in families from all around the province eager to snap a selfie with the nation’s favourite Peruvian visitor in his trademark duffel coat.

Due to be in place for at least a year, local councillors have now called for the fixture to be made permanent –moving Paddington from his usual home in London’s Windsor Gardens to Conway Square, Newtownards.

At an Ards and North Down Council committee meeting on Thursday night (9th), Alliance alderman Alan McDowell said that he sees families lining up to have their photos taken next to Paddington every time he’s in the centre of the town.

“I was lucky enough to get my photograph taken with my grandchildren there recently,” he said. “It really is a draw.

"I think he should be given permanent residency – we should keep him as long as we can.”

Ulster Unionist councillor Richard Smart held a similar position, stating that Paddington has been taken into the hearts of people in Newtownards.

"I think if you could sum [the feeling] up, it would be joy,” he said. “I think he should stay forever. There’s a lot more we could do going forward.”

DUP alderman Robert Adair stated that people have come from Portrush and Londonderry just to visit the nation’s favourite bear.

And party colleague, alderman Naomi Armstrong-Cotter, stated that the statue’s huge appeal had enabled Newtownards to showcase the breadth of character and shops the town centre has to offer.

UUP councillor Craig Blaney’s three-year-old has been obsessed with the Paddington books. “The excitement and joy when I was able to bring him to see the real Paddington Bear was incredible,” he said.

Councillors also suggested events such as a teddy bears’ picnic could be staged around the statue.