Benjamin Britten statue will be put up next summer

Broadcaster Zeb Soanes, vice chairman of the Britten as a Boy project, visited sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley on the day it was announced the target had been reached

A statue of Benjamin Britten as a boy will be put up in his home town next year after fundraisers reached their target of £110,000.

The life-size bronze sculpture will be installed near the seafront in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The composer, who died in 1976, was born at 21 Kirkley Cliff Road on 22 November 1913 and the sculpture, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, will be put up opposite the site.

The announcement that the fundraising target had been reached was made on Britten's birthday.

Members of East Suffolk Council, Lowestoft Town Council and Kirkley People’s Forum celebrated the fundraising target being reached

The project has been supported by individuals and trusts, with fundraising events organised by the Britten as a Boy project.

Broadcaster Zeb Soanes, vice chairman of the project, said: "We have now raised all the money we need for the statue, which is wonderful news.

"Benjamin Britten wanted to be remembered as a composer who served his community, and it's fitting that our final fundraising event was a community bake sale at Lowestoft's Kirkley Centre.

"The project has reawakened a passion and appreciation for Britten in his home town and, through our educational resources, children have been learning and hearing how his childhood influenced his music.

"The Oscar-winning film composer James Horner composed the music for the film Titanic after drawing inspiration from Britten’s music, and his widow Sara kindly made a donation in his memory."

Mr Rank-Broadley said: "The genius of Britten appeared in childhood. This statue of him as a boy in Lowestoft can inspire generations of children to follow their dreams. Bronze is for eternity – Britten deserves no less."

The sculpture will be unveiled next summer, looking out to sea.