MINEHEAD schoolboy John Knight is hoping to provide a permanent memorial to one of his heroes - Arthur C Clarke - just yards from where the internationally renowned science fiction writer lived.

A blue plaque on 13 Blenheim Road denotes the house where Sir Arthur, who was knighted by the Queen in 1998, was born and lived for the first year or so of his life.

But 16-year-old West Somerset Community College student John was amazed to discover that was the only tribute to Sir Arthur in the town.

So he has come up with an idea to create a memorial trail in Blenheim Gardens, the centrepiece of which would be a nine-feet high black granite statue of Sir Arthur, who was also known as a futurist and inventor.

In addition to the statue, the trail would feature 12 granite rocks sited around the gardens, each bearing a laser image of scenes from probably Sir Arthur's most famous novel, 2001: A Space Odyssey, which also became a box-office hit as a film.

John, who hopes to become an astro physicist, became interested in Sir Arthur after reading one of his books.

"I didn't believe it when my dad told me he was born in Minehead so he took me to the house in Blenheim Road to show me," he said.

"I couldn't believe that a small plaque was the only thing there was in the town to commemorate a man who had such an influence on literature and science fiction."

John and his father Paul, who is helping with the project, have yet to come up with full costings for the trail.

But they have approached West Somerset Council, which owns Blenheim Gardens.

"We have told the council about the proposal and they want us to try and get public support for it," said Paul.

"We are already getting a petition together but we need as many people as possible to go to http://www.facebook.com/Blenheim">www.facebook.com/Blenheim Gardens and post a comment.

"We would love to get local support and use local businesses to help create it."

A spokesman for the district council said the authority was currently working with partners and reviewing the use of Blenheim Gardens as part of a bid for Heritage Lottery funding.

"We wish to find out what residents and visitors think of the current arrangements and their views on potential changes going forward."

The spokesman said the council was due to launch a survey on potential uses of Blenheim Gardens within the next week and would be grateful for comments from the public.

l Trailblazer John Knight is pictured outside Arthur C Clarke's old house in Minehead.

Photo: Steve Guscott