Cash Family Block Ad Plans

Johnny Cash's family members have blocked an advertising firm's plans to use the late country legend's hit RING OF FIRE for a haemorrhoid-relief product commercial.

TV producer SULA MILLER of BIG GRIN PRODUCTIONS in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, says she thought of the idea when she heard the song - penned by Cash, his late wife JUNE CARTER CASH and MERLE KILGORE - on the radio while struggling with the uncomfortable condition.

When approached, co-writer Kilgore found the idea extremely funny and says he often joked about haemorrhoids onstage whenever he'd introduce Ring of Fire - but Cash's family is not laughing.

Cash's daughter ROSANNE rants, "We would never allow the song to be demeaned like that. He (Merle) started talking about this moronic tie-in without talking to any of us.

"The song is about the transformative power of love and that's what it has always meant to me and that's what it will always mean to the Cash children."

Kilgore insists it was not his intention to upset the family.