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A Liverpool professor has backed a campaign to rename a “super-heavy” periodic element in memory of Motorhead frontman Lemmy.

A petition is calling for one of four newly-discovered elements to be named “Lemmium” in tribute to the rock superstar, who died earlier this month.

More than 28,000 people have backed the campaign since it started two days ago.

Ken Durose, professor of physics at the University of Liverpool and die-­hard Motorhead fan, is among those to sign the petition.

Professor Durose said: “When I put on my Motorhead t­-shirt this morning and came to work, I hadn’t heard of the campaign to call one of the new elements ‘Lemmium’.

“The whole idea that you name a new heavy metal after Lemmy – he basically invented heavy metal but he always called himself rock ‘n’ roll – so I think it’s a terrific idea.

“Everyone’s really amused by it in the Department of Physics at Liverpool University.

“The problem is that elements have to be named after either their properties, a myth, a mineral, a place or a scientist.

“Unfortunately Lemmy wasn’t any of these, but if they broaden the criteria to include rock ‘n’ roll legends he’s in with a chance!”

The petition, launched by John Wright, from York, reads: “Lemmy was a force of nature and the very essence of heavy metal.

“We believe it is fitting that the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry recommend that one of the four new discovered heavy metals in the periodic table is named Lemmium.”

The four new elements were discovered by teams of scientists from Japan, Russia and the US.

The discoverers will make the first suggestions before the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry formally names the newly-­discovered elements in the coming months.

Lemmy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer on Boxing Day and died two days later at his home in Los Angeles, shortly after celebrating his 70th birthday.