Authorities in north western India have given the green light to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's project to build the world's tallest statue.
Government officials in Gujarat state have formally issued a work order for the construction of the so-called Statue of Unity, a memorial to Indian Independence hero Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, often known as the "Iron Man of India" or "Bismarck of India".
At 182m (597ft) the monument will be twice as high as New York's Statue of Liberty.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said the construction will cost about £300m and take four years.
