Renewed plans have been put in place to celebrate the 221st birthday of an iconic Lyme Regis resident.

The Mary Anning Rocks campaign, which is fighting for a statue of Mary Anning in Lyme Regis, has adjusted its plans for the birthday celebration of the famous fossil hunter on May 21, 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead of launching a crowdfunder, the campaign, which is spearheaded by West Stafford youngster Evie Swire, 12, will be holding an auction and selling T-shirts so people can give whatever they can afford to the campaign.

Evie's mum Anya said: "With the best will in the world we understand that there won't be much appetite for crowdfunding. "We made the decision to postpone the launch.

"A member of our committee put it so well when they said: ‘Mary Anning will get her statue, she's waited this long, so another year or so isn’t going to hurt…..’ We hope people understand and agree."

But people can help by buying a T-shirt in support of the Mary Anning Rocks campaign. Artists are currently working on new designs.

Another fund-raising auction will be held after last year's raised more than £5,000. Supporters are being asked to donate fossils, fossil walks, behind the scenes visits, artworks, books - anything they like.

People can also show their support by making donations of any amount at the campaign website maryanningrocks.co.uk

They are being urged to follow the campaign on Twitter @MaryAnnningRocks and retweet news from the movement to spread the word about the Mary Anning statue.

Anya says it is hoped the crowdfunder will be officially launched to coincide with the UK release of the movie Ammonite, which is about the life of Mary Anning.

Mary Anning Rocks was awarded £5,000 from Lyme Regis Town Council from money donated by Fossil Films, makers of Ammonite.

The film, starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, has seen its release put back to later in the year after cinemas closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.