THEY are two of Southampton's sporting legends who are both in the running to be immortalised with a city centre sculpture.

Now legends Matt Le Tissier and Olympic diver Pete Waterfield have taken to Twitter to engage in some friendly banter as thousands across the city vote for their favourite idol in an online poll.

Millbrook’s Pete Waterfield, who shared the link to the Daily E c h o story, said: “A massive thanks to everyone who has voted for me. I’m now in 2nd behind Matt Le Tiss. Please keep voting and see if we can get me closer, cheers.”

Le Tissier, 44, who is known as Le God, took to his keyboard, saying: “Surely you should be able to beat an old man like me in a race mate.”

A fan then took to Twitter under the name of rich-sfcparker adding: “To be honest Matt he could probably beat you when you were younger as well.” To which Le Tiss wrote back: “Fair point!”

And 31-year-old Pete said: “You’re more of a legend than me, and you have more years behind you!”

The Daily Echo is asking readers to vote for their favourite three famous figures from Southampton’s past and present.

HAVE YOU VOTED YET? IF NOT, CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

A shortlist of 10 has been compiled by St Deny’s schoolchildren and residents for the green charity Sustrans, which is funding the £5,000 sculpture project.

Our poll has provoked an online storm with hundreds of fans showing their support for their heroes.

The deadline for voting is next week – Friday, November 16. The three people with the most public votes will have life-size statues made of them and installed behind a “portrait bench” at Horseshoe Bridge on the £1m boardwalk alongside the River Itchen in St Deny’s.

At the moment it is Pete Waterfield who’s in the lead with 2,151 votes while Matt Le Tissier is second with 1,505 votes. In third place is novelist Jane Austen with 952 votes. In last position is Suzie Templeton with 60 votes followed by Chris Packham with 173 votes.

HAVE YOU VOTED YET? IF NOT, CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Sustainable transport organisation Sustrans has been given the cash as part of a national £50m lottery funded project.

The shortlisted 10 are Matt Le Tissier, Spitfire inventor R J Mitchell, novelist Jane Austen, Olympic diver Pete Waterfield, King Canute, TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham, women’s rights campaigner Emily Davies, TV gardening presenter Charlie Dimmock, pop star Craig David and Oscar winning animator Suzie Templeton.