CLIFFORD T Ward was the local pop star who could well have become a superstar but for one thing – his longing for his Worcestershire home.

And now, as the 20th anniversary of his death approaches, the people of Worcestershire are being asked if they can help repay that with a small act of remembrance.

The Stourport-born singer-songwriter might have had the world at his feet in the 1960s and 70s after a hit single and album and a series of appearances on Top of The Pops, The Old Grey Whistle Test and a lot more top music shows.

Indeed, Terry Wogan was a big fan and gave him plenty of air time on Radio 2.

But the man who wrote and performed the hit single Gaye and produced the highly regarded album Home Thoughts From Abroad refused to tour, something which was required in those days if you wanted to hit the really big time.

Home Thoughts is a song of longing from someone away from home based on the famous poem by Robert Browning, and it perhaps sums up how his life and family in Worcestershire were always his first love.

Indeed, it contains the line ‘How is Worcestershire?’

So Clifford T Ward, born in February 1944, stayed at home, never quite made it to the very top, and died of multiple sclerosis in December 2001, surrounded by wife Pat and four children.

Some of the family remain in the area, though most have moved away.

What’s left are very fond memories of people who knew him and loved his songs and his music, and a memorial bench in Witley Court.

Now, a group of fans on the Clifford T Ward Project are trying to raise the cash to replace his memorial bench, which English Heritage say has deteriorated beyond repair.

Steve Jones, from Kidderminster, has created a Facebook page and a fundraising appeal which has reached £300.

He also hopes that later this year, a tribute concert could be held in the songwriter’s memory as the 20th anniversary of his death approaches.

The Facebook page is popular with some former pupils of North Bromsgrove High School where Clifford T Ward taught for a time before he left to become a professional musician.

His songs have been covered by superstars like Ringo Star, Cliff Richard, Jack Jones, Julie Felix.

Steve ponders on how the songwriter singer could have become just as famous – but for the call of home.