A statue of the Roman goddess Fortuna was presented to St Albans by the Mayor of the City’s Italian twin town of Fano.

Outgoing mayor of St Albans Geoff Harrison unveiled the statue of the goddess of luck, fate and fortune in the Alban Arena on Tuesday.

The presentation was made by Fano’s Mayor, Sig Massimo Seri, accompanied by Italian consular official, Sig Luciano Rappa.

Councillor Harrison said: "I am very grateful to Fano, its Mayor and other representatives for their generosity in giving St Albans this statue to remember them by.

"The gift marks the strong links between the twin towns, both of which have Roman heritage."

The artwork is a modern artistic interpretation of the statue of Fortuna that stands in a fountain in Fano’s main square.

The Roman town of Fano was originally named Fanum Fortunae, or ‘the shrine of Fortuna’, the Roman goddess of Fate.

Fano is the most recent of the City and District's twin towns, with the link established in 1998.

It is a resort town on the east coast of Italy, close to the airports of Rimini and Ancona and has a similar population size to St Albans District.

St Albans District Council is looking at putting the statue on display once a suitable long-term location has been identified.