FORMER Blur bassist Alex James has backed an idea for a Britpop exhibition in Colchester’s Firstsite art gallery.

Tim Young, councillor responsible for culture at Colchester Council, is also supporting the concept.

Darius Laws, a TV, radio and video producer, came up with a plan to relaunch Firstsite as Blursite next year.

The exhibition would mark 20 years since Colchester band Blur went head-to-head with Oasis for the UK number one slot.

Mr James said: “I am the only non-Colchester person in Blur, but I do consider it to be my second home.

“Colchester needs a permanent Blur-thing and if that’s what the town feels it needs, that would be lovely.”

He also backed a suggestion of a homecoming gig in the town.

Labour’s Mr Young said it would make enormous sense to mark the 20-year anniversary of the Britpop battle. He said: “Firstsite would seem the obvious place to hold it and I want to see it happen.

“It would be very popular and would get new visitors through the doors. Where is the downside?

“I have tentatively raised the idea with council officers and they were very supportive.

“It is now time to go through the gears and make it a reality.”

Mr Laws, a Conservative activist, said: “A town-wide summer of Britpop culminating in a Blur gig in Castle Park would be epic.

“I seriously hope our contemporary arts centre leads on by hosting an exhibition.” Ben Howard, of Cool Colchester, added: “It is a great idea and it could happen. It is ambitious, but why should we stop people blue-sky-thinking?”

A Firstsite spokesman said: “It’s an interesting idea, but we already have a great show ready to kick off the new year.”

The exhibition has not been announced yet.