THE idea of replacing Sir Edward Elgar’s statue in the centre of Worcester with a similar tribute to city character Chicken George is, of course, ludicrous.

The proposal has been put forward by more than 170 users of the social networking website Facebook.

Mayor of Worcester Andy Roberts says the suggestion would come to fruition over his dead body. It is a sentiment we share.

But the proposal has set us thinking. Setting aside the Elgar issue, would some form of permanent tribute to one of Worcester’s most colourful characters be such a bad idea?

George Webb was a fixture on the streets of the city centre for the best part of half a century.

His erratic, often drink-fuelled, dancing to street buskers is an affectionate memory for many Worcester people.

When he died in 2006 at the age of 86 his funeral was attended by the then Mayor of Worcester Ian Imray.

Artists included him in paintings of the city.

There are very few born and bred Worcester people who do not know the name Chicken George.

In his own way he is a part of the city’s history.

Ditching the Elgar statue is a daft idea and we suspect even those who started the Facebook campaign would agree.

But their suggestion has raised the question of whether Chicken George should be remembered in some permanent way by the city of Worcester.

We think such a tribute would show our city has a sense of humour about itself.