A statue of former London deputy mayor Sir Simon Milton has been unveiled in the capital.

The sculpture was revealed at a ceremony attended by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles,

Sir Simon, who died in 2011 at the age of 49 after a long battle against cancer, was deputy mayor for planning and policy and chief of staff to mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Pickles described him as an influential voice in the politics of London and one of the most respected local government leaders of his generation.

“He worked tirelessly for this great city and it is only right that his legacy is being remembered in the place which he dedicated his life to serving,” Mr Pickles said.

The statue was erected in Merchant Square in Paddington, west London, where Sir Simon was a driving force behind the redevelopement of the Paddington Basin area.

His civil partner, Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster city council, said he was “delighted that Simon’s work in Paddington will be celebrated and remembered”.

Sir Simon, who was a member of West London Synagogue and a former leader of Westminster council, died after losing his 20-year fight against leukaemia.

At the time, Mr Johnson described him as "a wonderful colleague and friend who will be much missed by everyone who was involved in public life in this city".

The life-sized statue was designed by artist Bruce Denny.