A statue of Donald Trump being stared down by Roald Dahl character Matilda has been unveiled near the author's former home.

The statues, which depicts Matilda Wormwood looking defiant with hands on hips in the face of the US president, have been installed to mark the 30th anniversary of the publication of children's book Matilda.

AAP

British novelist Roald Dahl created the character of a school girl heroine in who stands up the school principal bullying in 1988.

The telekinetic bookworm taught children that there is power in proving people wrong.

In the novel, Matilda's parents are dismissive of her intelligence - "instead of applauding her, [they] called her a noisy chatterbox and told her sharply that small girls should be seen and not heard".

The novel - his 27th - took two years to write and was inspired by his love of books.

The book was made into a film in 1996, starring Mara Wilson as Matilda.

The idea for the statues came from a public survey by The Roald Dahl Story Company which sought to find out what people think Matilda would be doing if she was alive today and in her thirties - with 42 per cent of people agreeing that President Trump was the person she would be standing up to.

The Roald Dahl Story Company

In the novel, Matilda famously stands up to her cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull.

Bernie Hall, from The Roald Dahl Story Company, said: "Matilda demonstrates that it's possible for anyone, no matter how small and powerless they feel, to defeat the Trunchbulls in their own lives - a message that feels more relevant today than it did 30-years-ago."

The statues stand in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, the town where the late author lived for 36 years.

Lexicographer and Matilda fan Susie Dent said the statutes mark the 30th anniversary of the well-loved children's book.

Thirty years of book loving heroines, chocolate cake champions and taking on bullies.



Happy Birthday Matilda! #Matilda30 pic.twitter.com/ewyNyafHyN — Roald Dahl HQ (@roald_dahl) October 1, 2018

"It's not surprising to hear that Donald Trump has been voted the figure she would be most likely to stand up to in 2018 - many clearly see in him some similar traits to the fictional headmistress Miss Trunchbull."

Of those polled, 42 per cent thought Trump would be Matilda's most likely modern-day nemesis, with other popular suggestions for who she would be standing up to today including Theresa May (21 per cent) and Piers Morgan (16 per cent).

The statues will be available to be viewed at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre for a few weeks.

Some fans have already given their feedback on the statues.

Others reminisced on how the story of Matilda impacted their childhoods.

Happy 30th birthday to Matilda! We still have our original copy from 1989 and now this lovely @PuffinBooks anniversary edition too. We think Matilda at 30 would be teaching children to read so they have a brighter future #Matilda30 @roald_dahl https://t.co/lzGKljU4Cj pic.twitter.com/R53u0B6Etp — Bookswithbaby (@bookswithbaby) October 1, 2018

Happy 30th Birthday to Matilda!



This story and so many other Roald Dahl classics have inspired and influenced our work that we couldn’t help but mention this today.



Many happy returns to one of the best female protagonists in children’s literature! @roald_dahl 🎉📚 pic.twitter.com/acK509jlt4 — Ditto Theatre (@DittoTheatre) October 1, 2018

“Small girls must be seen and not heard" - Miss Trunchbull. We rather disagree!



Happy 30th birthday Matilda, thank you for inspiring all young girls to be brave, adventurous and to speak up and fight for what's right! #Matilda30 pic.twitter.com/sx2LpUxJ7I — Creative Tops (@creativetops) October 1, 2018

Without a doubt, one of my favorite books, one of my tattoos, and one of the best movies from my childhood #Matilda30 https://t.co/eBRhFEiNT2 — Rachel Hammer (@HammerRachel) October 1, 2018

Roald Dahl died in 1990 at the age of 74 of a rare cancer of the blood.

More than 250 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide. The books have also been translated into more than 50 languages.

- with AAP.