HALF a century ago tomorrow (Saturday) a crowd of 5,000 people gathered in Woodford Green to witness the unveiling of Winston Churchill's famous statue.

Immortalised in bronze, the figure of Britain’s formidable wartime leader still casts a giant shadow over the area more than 40 years after his death.

His statue, which glares moodily towards South Woodford from the top of Salway Hill, still serves as a fitting reminder of his legacy as Prime Minister, and as the area’s most famous MP.

But for those who were present at the dedication ceremony - led by famous Second World War general Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery - the monument has a special resonance.

Hazel Dickenson, 90, of Bressey Grove, South Woodford, was one of those fortunate enough to attend the unveiling alongside her husband Charles on October 31, 1959.

She said: "There were so many people at the ceremony.

"We were all very proud to have his statue in Woodford Green. It showed his strong connection to the area.

"We were in awe of him. My husband met him several times and I met him once or twice.

"My husband was a member of the local Conservative Association when Churchill was our MP.

"Churchill was seen as a hero. My husband was very proud to have known him."

The former receptionist's daughter, Julie Hensey, 70, was away at the time of the ceremony.

She said: "It is a regret that I wasn't there.

"I share the same birthday as Churchill and sent him birthday cards, which he replied to.

"He was supposed to have attended a presentation I was making at Sir James Hawkey Hall but didn't show up in the end. His wife Clementine came instead.

"He is still an immensely important figure for this area."

Churchill, an ailing 85 year-old at the time of the ceremony, told his adoring audience: “I am most grateful to the people of Wanstead and Woodford for the signal honour you now do me.

"It has been a privilege representing you in Parliament."

The aristocrat was in the twilight of his political career when he became MP for Woodford in 1945, with his greatest achievements already behind him.

A self-confessed workaholic, he continued to represent the constituency right up to October 1964, just months before his death at the age of 90.

A bust of Churchill still sits in front of the former Conservative Party club in Wanstead High Street.