A six-foot high steel silhouette of a nurse which has become an eye-catching – If unofficial – Exmoor attraction as a tribute to NHS staff, is becoming a major fund-raiser with an Internet following of over 30,000.

The statue, put without official permission on an Exmoor crossroads, and known in the district as “Nurse Amy”, has become so popular that Exmoor Welding, the Wheddon Cross-based company that created her, is now struggling to fulfil the demand for ten-inch replicas that are raising funds for the NHS.

Exmoor Welding boss Pete Henson, who created the silhouette to salute the work of NHS workers during the coronavirus emergency, said he never expected such an “incredible” reaction.

“I was playing around on the computer and I noticed a First World War centenary silhouette and the idea came from there. I thought it would be great to create a statue of a nurse to pay tribute to NHS staff and make the point that they’re doing so much for us,” he said.

In an afternoon, Peter fabricated the six-foot high figure in sheet steel which was later installed at a crossroads at Blagdon Cross outside Wheddon Cross, where it has become a popular landmark.

“It will stay there as long as possible – or until the National Park tell me to move it!” Pete said.

“When a friend helped me take her to the crossroads, I suggested we give her a name and he said we should call her ‘Nurse Amy’ after a nurse who had looked after him during a recent spell in hospital.”

The success of his NHS tribute has taken Pete by surprise: “People really love Amy and we have had over 30,000 hits on our Facebook site. When the crisis is finally over we will probably auction the statue to raise money for the NHS.

Pete told the Free Press: “The statue caused so much interest that we are now selling 10 inch replicas for NHS charities at £10 each. Three hours after we offered them for sale we had sold 100 and sales have taken off from there.”

With assistance from Rob Hendy at Brendon Power Washers, Exmoor Welding is now working flat-out as orders for the miniatures flow in: “Rob’s help with the production has been invaluable,” Pete said.

He can now keep his staff on the books during the lockdown while passing on all profits to the NHS.

This week, local MP Ian Liddell- Grainger backed the tribute and said: “I hope the original Nurse Amy will be allowed to remain in place as a mark of our lasting gratitude to those who have been willing to put their own lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe.

“I congratulate Pete and his team for having the inspiration to embark on this initiative. I can think of no better way for people to show their gratitude to the health service than by welcoming their own Nurse Amy into their homes.”

Exmoor Welding can be contacted at exmoorwelding.co.uk.