The fundraising target to place a statue of Benjamin Britten outside his birthplace on the seafront in Lowestoft has been met – Friday's announcement coming on a highly appropriate day, both the anniversary of Britten’s birth and also St Cecilia’s Day, the patron saint of music.

The bronze sculpture, which depicts Britten as young boy, is being created by Ian Rank-Broadley, and is set to be unveiled next summer. 

The campaign – which raised £120,000 – has been led by Zeb Soanes, the Lowestoft-born Classic FM presenter, who said ‘what makes today so meaningful is that all the money raised has come from many small donations. This is Britten’s home town and his admirers throughout the world, paying tribute to him.’ 

Zeb Soanes, who has led the campaign for the statue, announces the campaign's success in the studio of sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley

From 1998, Rank-Broadley’s image of HM Queen Elizabeth II appeared on all UK and Commonwealth coinage, while his other works include the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. He spoke to Gramophone last year about the project and how Britten’s music – and the statue’s site – had inspired him. ‘I was aware that up in his attic bedroom [Britten] was looking from a great height on the North Sea, every day of his life,’ he said. ‘You can see it permeated his soul – when you listen to the Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, it’s mesmeric, it really grips you.’

You can find out more about the project at brittenasaboy.com