A CANCER survivor will take to the famous fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square to raise awareness of the disease.

Brett Jones, who for 25 years owned Billericay’s popular Webber’s Wine Bar, is one of 2,400 people selected to stand on the empty column for an hour, as part of a groundbreaking art project.

The grandad, of Station Road, Billericay, will be using the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise awareness of prostate cancer, a disease which almost claimed his life two years ago.

But the 65-year-old will also show off his superior wine knowledge by taking the crowd through a wine-tasting session.

Mr Jones, who will stand on the plinth on Monday, September 14, dressed in gold trunks and a gold cape to get the most attention for the cause, said: “I had prostate cancer in 2006 and I beat it thanks to the amazing care I received at Southend Hospital, where I underwent radiotherapy.

“I wanted to do something to get the message out there that prostate cancer is one of the biggest killers for men in the world, so I’ll be using my hour to raise awareness of the charity Prostate UK, which helps thousands of prostate cancer sufferers every year.

“As well as talking about the condition, I’ll be tasting wines from five different countries, so spectators can learn something about wines across the world. But then I’ll be reading out statistics about prostate cancer from each of the five countries.

“Standing for an hour next to Nelson’s Column in the heart of London seems like the perfect opportunity to highlight the work of Prostate UK while having a lot of fun with a wine tasting.”

Webber’s Wine Bar closed in 2005 when Brett sold the venue, which has now become Stewart’s Bar.

Brett, known locally as “the wine maestro”, has continued to work in the world of wine, running educational tastings for wine clubs and other groups.

He was selected from 30,000 applicants to stand on the empty plinth as part of celebrated artist Antony Gormley’s One & Other project, which will see a different person on the plinth every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days, until October.