THIS is the world's only full-size statue of Charles Dickens. And it's on the other side of the Atlantic in Philadelphia.

The Americans, who loved Dickens, sent it to England as a tribute to the author - but it was returned to sender because of a "no memorials" clause in his will.

Do you think the time has come for a statue to be erected in Rochester in defiance of his last request?

Vote in our poll, below, and join the debate ~ in our SpeakOut >>>

But first, here's a few fascinating facts from the pages of the great man's life ...

~ His full name is Charles John Huffam Dickens and his novel David Copperfield is generally thought to be based on his life.

~ He moved to Chatham at the age of four and went to school in Clover Street, Chatham. But hard times were ahead for the family.

~ The workhouse scene from Oliver Twist is generally believed to be based on a scene the author witnessed at the Chatham Workhouse in Magpie Hall Road.

~ At the age of 10 he left Chatham with his impoverished family on the Blue Eyed Maid coach bound for London bound. Shortly afterwards his parents were imprisoned for debt.

~ He had to sleep in an attic in Camden Town and visit his parents in prison on Sundays. Tea was served by a woman from the Chatham workhouse who was looking after his parents.

~ Great Expectations is regarded as his best book.

~ He loved Broadstairs and lived there for several years.

~ When he was 30 he toured America, the first English writer to do so, and was treated like royalty.

~ His first book, Pickwick Papers, was published when he was 25 and was immediately popular. It has many Rochester and Maidstone references.

~ One of his closest friends was Hans Christian Anderson , who visited him frequently at his home, Gads Hill, Higham.

~ He was at Gads Hill on June 6, 1870, when he was taken ill during dinner and died.

~ Dickens wanted to be buried at Rochester Cathedral but his wishes were ignored. His burial place is Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey - but the date of his death on the memorial is wrong. It says June 9 instead of June 6.

Thursday's poll result

Will identity cards work to prevent llegal immigrants entering the UK through Kent?

Yes: 19.8 per centNo: 80.2 per cent