The Mayor of Dudley laid a wreath at the Duncan Edwards statue in Dudley town centre to mark the 65th anniversary of the star’s tragic death.

Councillor Sue Greenaway laid the red and white wreath - in the colours of Dudley-born and bred Duncan’s team Manchester United - at the foot of his statue yesterday.

Duncan was on board a plane carrying the famous Busby Babes which crashed in Munich, Germany, on February 6, 1958.

Seven of his Manchester United team-mates were killed in the crash.

Although Duncan initially survived, he died 15 days later aged just 21 in hospital due to injuries sustained in the accident.

The plane was carrying the team back to England from Belgrade, with a refuelling stop in Munich. Councillor Sue Greenaway, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

“Duncan was proud to be from Dudley and was already a full England international and making great waves in football before tragedy struck when he was just 21.

“The statue in the town centre serves as a great reminder to us all about who Duncan was and what he achieved, and I was honoured to be able to make my own tribute today on the 65th anniversary of his death.

“It is really important we do all we can to ensure the name of Duncan Edwards lives on in Dudley for future generations.”

Bobby Charlton, who won the World Cup with England in 1966 and is now the only surviving member of that Busby Babes side, described Duncan as the best player he had ever seen or played with.

As well as the statue, some of Duncan’s memorabilia is on display at the Dudley Archives centre on Tipton Road.