Phil Campbell is nearly 100 votes ahead of Owain Glyndwr

Phil Campbell, originally from Pontypridd, is now fifth in the list of nominees on the Welsh Heroes website after the official Motorhead site put a link on it and urged fans to vote for him.

But the move has bemused some of those following the poll set up to find the best leaders, thinkers, performers and sports greats.

Campbell, 42, is closing fast on the father of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan - on Sunday, he had 294 votes to the Labour man's 333.

However, he is not a lone figure from the world of pop and rock by any means.

No fewer than five musicians and singers from the past forty years have made the list, with veteran popster Tom Jones leading the nominations so far.

The Alarm's Mike Peters comes in at number two, nearly 100 votes ahead of Owain Glyndwr.

Motorhead, known as wild rockers, are the authors of heavy metal anthems such as the Ace of Spades.

Campbell said the poll results were "totally unbelievable" and thanked those who were supporting him.

The website, 100 Welsh Heroes, was officially launched by Alun Pugh AM, the minister for culture, sport and languages in Wales, three weeks ago and invites people to nominate their heroes in five areas.

Nominations close on 1 December, when a top 100 list will be drawn up for people to vote for the Welsh person they most admire.

The top ten will be announced on St David's Day, 1 March 2004.