WRU president Dennis Gethin has voiced his support for the campaign to create a statue in memory of the late Ken Jones.

Describing the former Wales rugby player and sprinter as "one of the world's great gentleman" Mr Gethin said: "For many years, Gareth Edwards was the only Welsh international with a statue erected in his honour and it would be fitting that the man who held the Welsh cap record for almost 20 years until Edwards broke it against France in March 1976 should be honoured in the same way."

A group of Blaenavon residents is calling for a statue to be erected in the town in recognition of the sportsman who was born there in 1921 and died aged 84 in 2006.

Graham Wallby, 68 from Blaenavon said: "It's about time he was given a place in Blaenavon and recognised."

Ken Jones is best known for his winning try against the All Blacks in 1953.

He began playing rugby as a pupil in West Monmouth School, but it was later while serving in World War II that he developed his sprinting prowess for which he first became known.

He won 44 caps for Wales, scored 17 tries. He represented Britain in the 1948 Olympics and won silver in the 4x100 relay. It was this sprinting pace which he used on the rugby field.

For Newport he scored 146 tries in 293 games. He died aged 84 in 2006.

Mr Gethin added: "It was a privilege to have known Ken Jones. It may be an over-used word these days but he really was one of the world's great gentlemen.

"As an athlete and rugby player, Ken was the epitome of excellence in sport and should be remembered for generations to come. "

Momentum for the statue is growing, with support coming from Blaenavon Town Council and Torfaen MP Paul Murphy.

Mr Murphy said: "I will do all I can to help the people of Blaenavon give Ken the recognition he deserves.

"A statue would be a great addition to the attractions around the World Heritage site - Ken Jones is part of Blaenavon's heritage after all. What better way to welcome tourists to Blaenavon than to have a statue telling them the story of Ken's sporting success?"

Any progress is dependent on Torfaen county borough council securing funding.

The council is in the process of making a bid to the Heads of the Valleys Programme for resources to fund preliminary work with artists.