CILLA Black’s niece has spoken of the family’s pride after a statue was unveiled in tribute to the singing star.

Gina Robertson, from Newport, attended the unveiling of the bronze, life-size statue outside Liverpool’s Cavern Club with her son, Tobias, and sister, Lesley, yesterday.

Crowds gathered to see the statue, commissioned by Black’s sons – Robert, Ben and Jack Willis – who were moved by the response of people in the city to the singer’s death in 2015.

“It was a lovely tribute to the singer who helped put Liverpool on the map,” said Gina, who has fond memories of spending summer holidays at Cilla’s home in London. “I am very proud she was my auntie.”