Plans for a statue of Burslem-born rock legend Lemmy have been approved. The 2.25m bronze sculpture of the Motörhead frontman is set to be erected in the Mother Town's Market Place, once funding is secured.

Planning approval was granted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council after sculptor Andy Edwards agreed to increase the height of the plinth from 2.5m to 3m, following police concerns over the statue receiving 'good-natured but potentially incident-generating attention'. The plinth material has also been changed from polished black granite to sandstone, matching the nearby Queens Theatre and the former town hall.

In their initial response to the planning application, Staffordshire Police said they had no objection in principle to a statue honouring 'a celebrated local son'. But 'designing out crime officer' David Elkington did raise concerns over fans, footballer supporters or late night revellers potentially climbing onto the plinth to pose with 'Lemmy'.

Mr Elkington says: "While probably good-natured in intent, but possibly on occasion arising from intoxication, the likelihood of this along with the personal safety danger arising from it needs to be factored into deliberations."

Police raised concerns over the statue receiving 'good-natured but potentially incident-generating attention' (Staffordshire Police).

Revised plans include a taller plinth, which matches the height of the nearby Henry Doulton monument. Mr Edward says this change was made for 'aesthetic reasons' along with the police concerns.

The statue depicts Lemmy – born Ian Fraser Kilmister – in an iconic pose with his bass guitar, singing up towards a towering microphone. Concerns were also raised by the police over the mic stand element potentially being the subject of criminal damage.

In the revised plans, the stand has been moved closer to Lemmy's body in order to make it more secure. The proposed location has also been moved to a less central position in Market Place, where the Queens Theatre and former town hall will provide an attractive backdrop.

In a further comment, Mr Elkington welcomed the changes to the design and reiterated the concerns over public safety, saying that a Lemmy statue is likely to receive more attention than existing monuments to famous Stokies.

He says: "With due respect to Henry Doulton and James Brindley, of the three, the Lemmy statue is the more likely to attract good-natured but potentially incident-generating attention, perhaps more especially in relation to personal safety. Consequently, efforts to minimise the risks that might attach are welcomed."

Mr Edwards is best known for the world-famous statue of the Beatles on Liverpool's waterfront, and has also produced a number of artworks in his native North Staffordshire, including the statue of Gordon Banks at the bet365 Stadium.

Lemmy, whose biggest hits include Motörhead's Ace of Spades, was born in Burslem in 1945, and went on to live in Newcastle and Wales as a child. He lived in Los Angeles from 1990 until his death in 2015. A total of £4,512 has so far been contributed to a Go Fund Me campaign to raise £50,000 for the statue.

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