The monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, a gift from the Russian Space Agency, will be installed outside the offices of the British Council on the Mall, London, for a year. Gagarin made history by becoming the first man in space.

Gagarin became one of the most famous men on the planet when he orbited the earth in Vostok 1 on April 12 1961.

British Council chairman Vernon Ellis said: “The unveiling of the statue of Yuri Gagarin in July so close to Trafalgar Square will be a wonderful moment.

“I remember the excitement in 1961 when we heard that Gagarin had successfully orbited the earth. Everyone was moved by the sheer bravery and adventure of his flight and through this statue we celebrate both that breakthrough for mankind and the UK-Russian relationship.”

The statue, which will stand opposite a statue of explorer Captain James Cook, is a copy of a monument commissioned in Russia in 1984.

It shows a life-sized Gagarin standing on a globe in his space suit and will be unveiled by his daughter Elena.

The deputy head of the Russian Space Agency Vitaly Davydov said: “Gagarin belongs not only to Russia but to all countries and nations, and it’s important to us that the statue of Yuri Gagarin will be shown in London – one of the world’s most international and intercultural cities – to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight.”

An exhibition about Gagarin’s life, including original Soviet space suits and propaganda posters, is also planned.