A new Portland limestone memorial was unveiled last month (May) in Highbridge, Somerset, to one of its sons, Frank Foley, described by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw as "a true British hero" for his bravery in helping thousands of Jews escape from pre-war Nazi Germany.

The MI6 agent used his cover as a passport control officer at the British Embassy in Berlin during the 1930s to provide the necessary papers for Jewish people to leave Nazi Germany for sanctuary in Britain and Palestine. He saved many thousands of lives. Like Oskar Schindler, his efforts have been recognised by Israel, which has declared him \'a righteous gentile\'.

Now, with the unveiling of a Portland limestone statue more than 2m high in front of the local community centre in Market Street, Highbridge, his role has been acknowledged by his home town in a ceremony attended by the Rt Hon Des Browne, Home Office Minister for Citizenship & Immigration, Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuburger, Michael Smith, author of \'Foley, The Spy who saved 10,000 Jews\' and Lady Gass, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.

The statue was commissioned by Rev Mark Bond of Highbridge Vicarage in 2000 on behalf of the Foley Committee, who have also erected a plaque outside the house where he was born.

When the funds were raised in 2004, sculptor Jonathan Sells was commissioned to start work on the statue, which depicts Major Foley stamping the visa of an anonymous Jewish refugee. At the base, it includes local references that would have been familiar to Major Foley and carries allusions to symbols of hope, re-birth and freedom, which continue through to the two figures.

Jonathan Sells, who was born in Nottingham and now lives and works on the island of Purbeck, Dorset, says the sculpture is both intrinsically and artistically important to him. He says it embraces the pain and fear that people faced in Nazi Germany during those dark and terrible times.