Call for Fred sculpture

Fred the tramp should be immortalised with a sculpture where he lived, it is claimed. Ideas for how to immortalise Fred include a sculpture of a broom or even a large metal tent on the site where the 86-year-old lived for 30 years.

Thousands of people have signed an on-line petition on social networking website Facebook, where Josef Stawinoga found international fame, calling for a lasting tribute.

Leading the calls is Wolverhampton computer expert Matthew Hadley, aged 27, who has requested permission from the city council to carry out a collection.

Mr Hadley, pictured, of Winster Road, East Park, said a memorial was needed to pay tribute to the city's lost living landmark.

Details of how to donate are still being finalised but Mr Hadley is confident he can raise the funds to create an appropriate memorial.

He said: "I'm talking to the University of Wolverhampton's art department to see if any of the students would be interested in creating a memorial.

"There have been a lot of ideas put around Facebook about what people want to see.

"My idea was a broom because Fred always swept up the leaves and was never seen without one.

"But one of the very popular ideas is a big metal tent. It's got to go on the ring road because that's where he lived for so many years, even though it's difficult to get across to." But Mr Hadley is a long way from realising the ambitions of more than 3,000 people who are calling for a memorial for Fred, even if he gets the money.

There are several artworks on major routes in the Black Country, including giant sculptures on many islands on the Black Country Route.

But Wolverhampton Council appears to be cautious about placing a tribute to Fred on the dual carriageway he called his home, which is now full of floral tributes.

City Council spokesman Julia Corrigan said: "It goes without saying that any project or memorial of this sort would need planning permission before it could be allowed to go on the Ring Road.

"There may also be other planning conditions which need to be considered," she added.