THE painstaking work of a Brighton sculptor to raise the profile of one of Britain's greatest ever engineers has been given its public unveiling.

Hazel Reeves' stunning 7ft 4in likeness of Sir Nigel Gresley, who designed the iconic Flying Scotsman and Mallard steam engines, has been unveiled on the concourse of King's Cross station in London .

The award-winning figurative sculptor spent around five months crafting out Sir Nigel's features while the statue spent another five months being finished in the foundry.

Around 200 people attended the unveiling led by members of the Gresley family and Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy including some protesters with rubber ducks.

The bronze sculpture was originally due to feature a duck next to the eminent engineer to remind people of the Mallard engines but was removed on the wishes of Sir Nigel’s family.

More than 3200 people signed a petition calling for the duck to be reinstated.