DOZENS gathered to applaud the unveiling of a bronze statue dedicated to a famous Lake District cat known both to locals and visitors. 

Laszlo Papp from Dodd's Italian Restaurant on Rydal Road and Ian Rollins, who helped fundraise for the statue, revealed Riley sat in her rightful place - the garden wall of No1 Millans Park, Ambleside, at midday on Saturday, June 21. 

Mr Rollins said: "It all went very well. There were a good 40/50 people - some came far and wide. 

"It's amazing how many people stopped by."

Dozens of people turned up to see the unveiling of the statueDozens of people turned up to see the unveiling of the statue (Image: Dodd's Restaurant)

Riley was rescued as a kitten 13 years ago from a snowstorm by the staff at Dodd's Italian Restaurant. Despite her presence in shops and the Millans Park area she never had an owner and chose to permanently live outside. 

She sustained fatal injuries after being hit by a car in January.

Mr Rollins set up a GoFundMe to raise the funds for a life-size bronze statue. He commissioned Lakes artist David Cemmick to make the statue. 

Dodd's Restaurant staff - the team rescued Riley when she was a kittenDodd's Restaurant staff - the team rescued Riley when she was a kitten (Image: Dodd's Restaurant)

Mr Cemmick had never met Riley in real life and based his statue on the hundreds of photos people had taken of her. 

Despite looking like it could just be picked up, the statue is cemented into the wall. 

"It looks so natural," Mr Rollins said. "It just looks as though she is sat on the wall. People can sit there with her. It's a wonderful, brilliant piece of work." 

Ian Rollins was involved in fundraising for the bronze statueIan Rollins was involved in fundraising for the bronze statue (Image: Submitted)

Riley will also have a blue plaque next to her. The money raised for the Riley tribute has come from donations, and sales of art prints featuring her. Mr Rollins said the money was 'trickling in.' 

Riley was known by other names in the community, such as the Millans Park Cat and The Dodd's Cat. 

Mr Rollins previously compared Riley to Max the Miracle Dog from Keswick.

Both Lake District animals received online admiration from thousands of people across the world. 

Max died in 2022 and also had a bronze statue cast in his name.