The Womble characters have helped put Wimbledon on the map around the globe.

But until now there has been nothing in the area to celebrate their legacy.

But last week marked the launch of a crowdfunding campaign aiming to help put The Wombles "back in their rightful place" on Wimbledon Common.

Campaign organiser Simon Hood said: “The Wombles have featured in books, in their own TV show, have had huge music hits and even starred in their own movie.

"Everyone who knows The Wombles knows that they live on Wimbledon Common - Apple have even programmed their autocorrect function to replace the word ‘Wimbledon’ with the word ‘Womble’ - yet within Wimbledon itself there is nothing there to mark their existence.

“We are hoping that Womble fans can join together and change that to create a permanent legacy, recognising the work of Elizbeth Beresford MBE and The Wombles. Paddington Station have a Paddington Statue so I think this would be a great thing to happen for Wimbledon.”

The project hopes to raise the funds to install a life-size bronze statue of Orinoco the Womble sat on a bench on Wimbledon Common.

The bench will then become a designated reading bench for people to enjoy.

Kate Robertson, Daughter of Womble creator Elizabeth Beresford, added: “Over the last 50 years, The Wombles have captured the hearts of many generations and, with a new TV show being launched this year, it looks like the legacy of the Wombles will continue to inspire another generation.

"It would be lovely to have both the memory of my mother and The Wombles recognised through a permanent statue in the heart of Wimbledon.”

You can view the crowdfunding page here