Queen's Roger Taylor unveils Cornwall statue

Roger Taylor with sculptor Tim Shaw who said "Cornwall's drum beats differently"

Roger Taylor, drummer of rock band Queen, has unveiled a statue in Cornwall.

More than 3,000 people saw Taylor, who grew up in Cornwall, officially unveil The Drummer at Lemon Quay, Truro.

The 15ft bronze sculpture of a naked man is designed to symbolise Cornish cultural identity.

It caused a furore even before it was unveiled because of its anatomically accurate depiction of a naked male cast from tin and copper mined in Cornwall.

Mr Taylor joked: "No anatomical part of it was modelled on me."

Marching drummers beat out a rhythm before the 61-year-old rock star unveiled the £95,000 statue.

The musician, who splits his time between Cornwall and his other homes, said he was happy to see drummers, notoriously the butt of jokes in the music industry, celebrated at last.

"There is quite a tradition of drumming in Cornwall. But I remember when I was at school here it was frowned on," he said.

"There was no school drum kit and it wasn't encouraged. I was actively discouraged.

"Since them I have been doing my best to redress the situation."

Sculptor Tim Shaw said: "Cornwall's drum beats differently and it is beaten a lot in this part of the world.

"It is something I thought could be used as a symbol of the land and the people."

Rob Nolan, mayor of Truro, said: "Lemon Quay has waited a long time to host a public statue and The Drummer will be a wonderful addition to this public space."