HE may have coined the term “Big Bang” but the life of great British astrophysicist Sir Fred Hoyle is being marked with more of a whimper due to “budget difficulties”.

A Blue Plaque planned for his former home in Admiral’s Walk in West Cliff, Bournemouth, has been put on hold.

Cllr Rod Cooper asked a meeting of Bournemouth Full Council if the plaque could be put up during 2009, which is the Year of Astronomy.

Sir Fred Hoyle invented the term “Big Bang” on BBC radio show The Nature of Things in 1949, although he himself did not subscribe to the idea.

His landmark 1957 work was on how heavier elements form within stars, and he became well-known as a popular science author.

He grew up in Yorkshire, then retired to Bournemouth and died in 2001 aged 86.

Cllr Robert Lawton said: “Work commenced on this blue plaque some years ago but there were at that time some difficulties with obtaining the agreement of the family on a suitable location. Later there was also some building work which meant that it has not proved possible to erect this blue plaque.

“Due to the current budget difficulties within the planning and transport service unit it has been necessary to review all the work currently being undertaken.”

Robert Massey, policy officer at The Royal Astronomical Society, said: “Sir Fred was one of the most significant figures in British astronomy.”

Bob Mizon, a committee member of Wessex Astronomical Society, said: “It’s a shame because he was a great man. He and Patrick Moore probably did more than anyone else to spread understanding of astrophysics to the layman.”