PLANS for a life-sized bronze statue of one of Nailsea’s most famous sons might have to be scrapped – after a charity song to raise funds for it failed to sell a single copy.

Tribute band, The Cornish Wurzells, penned Drink Up Yer Scrumpy as an homage to its idol, Wurzells’ frontman Adge Cutler.

But the ode, released as an mp3 download on Itunes and Amazon in November, has not raised a penny towards the �20,000 needed for the legend to be immortalised in the town where he grew up.

Keyboard player Terry Pascoe, who also played in the original Wurzels in the 1980s, said the band was ‘surprised’ that the song had flopped.

He feels if the BBC or ITV were to devote some airtime to the cause then sales would pick up.

The Highbridge resident said: “After all this is a charity based project, highlighting the work and career of one of the South West’s best known songwriters and performers.

“We will continue to promote the song through our regular appearances at shows, fairs and festivals this year.

“Our diary is filling with bookings but to raise the amount needed to complete the project will need a lot more gigs and promotion.

“We do understand that during these recessive times money is tight but we are a little disappointed that the cider companies haven’t come forward to support us.

“After all without Adge would the scrumpy and Somerset culture be as big as it is today?”

Lead vocalist and banjo player Russ Holland and sousaphone player Tim Joslin, started the band with Terry eight years ago.

They teamed up with Big Brother 11 winner Josie Gibson to record a charity Christmas single in 2010 and have appeared in the ITV show Odd One In with Bradley Walsh and Peter Andre.

They want Adge’s childhood friend, Roy Cleeves, to create the statue and would like to see it adorning the former Glassworks site, which the town council is looking into turning into a park.

A 4ft bronze sculpture of the singer made by the West End artist was on display at the opening of the Tithe Barn in June.

Adge, who attended Old Church School in Nailsea, now the Tithe Barn, wrote most of the Wurzels’ early songs, including the hit Drink up Thee Zider, which was recorded live at the Royal Oak pub.

He worked at Coates Cider Works in the town and at Portishead Power Station.

He died aged 43 in May 1974 when he crashed his sports car on a roundabout in Chepstow, on the way home from a gig.

He is buried in the graveyard of Christ Church and a plaque hangs in the Royal Oak in his memory.