A DUDLEY Council worker is playing his part in a single-minded memorial to teenage cancer victim Stephen Sutton.

Trainee ICT officer Richard Burns, aged 23, is lead guitarist on a charity single called Hope Ain’t A Bad Thing which entered the UK charts at number 16 this week.

The song is dedicated to the memory of 19-year-old Stephen who died last month as his fundraising campaign for the Teenage Cancer Trust headed for the £4m mark - after it began with a target of just £10,000.

Richard lives in Burntwood, Staffordshire, Stephen’s home town, and is one of 40 musicians to feature on the single which was recorded and produced by Neon Brotherhood at Neon Studios in the town.

Richard Burns said: “It has been such an emotional time for people and the single is a fitting tribute to Stephen.

“The response we’ve had so far is amazing and the whole thing is surreal and overwhelming. The single is a fitting tribute to Stephen and I would urge people to download the track and help make a big difference by raising money for charity."

Councillor Pete Lowe, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “The story of Stephen Sutton has touched so many people and it’s great to see such fantastic work going on now to continue his unbelievable fundraising efforts. We are delighted to see one of our own staff has been involved in this during their spare time to help raise thousands of pounds for such a worthy cause.”

The single is now available as a digital download on iTunes and Amazon.