A statue of Sir George Somers has been unveiled in his British hometown of Lyme Regis to celebrate the anniversary of the town’s twinning with St George.

The bronze statue, donated by the twinning association chairman Bob McHardy along with other members and individual contributors, stands overlooking Cobb Harbour in the Langmoor Gardens area.

Quinell Francis, the mayor of St George, led a Bermudian delegation to the event scheduled to mark the 20th anniversary of the twinning of the two towns and the day before Somers Day, which was celebrated with a march through the town and a commemorative service to celebrate the life of Sir George.

The Bermuda delegation was joined by Owen Lovell, the mayor of Lyme Regis, along with invited guests, Lyme Regis residents and visitors.

Sir George was born in Lyme Regis in 1554 and served as the town’s mayor before setting off for Jamestown, Virginia on board the Sea Venture in 1609. After being struck by a hurricane, the ship was steered onto a reef in Bermuda, leading to the British colonisation of the island.

While Sir George and his crew did reach Jamestown after building two ships on the island, he subsequently returned to Bermuda for supplies and died.

St George and Lyme Regis were formally twinned in 1996, while last year Jamestown was joined with both through a “tripling”. At that time, Ms Francis said the move highlights the historical connection between the three communities and expressed hope it would lead to more people visiting St George. “Sir George Somers has played a significant part in the history to what we now know as the Historic Atlantic Triangle,” she said.

“We in the town of St George are quite happy to be a part of this connection with Lyme Regis and Jamestown, Virginia and look forward to many visiting the home of Sir George Somers’ heart, which is buried at Somers Gardens.”