A CAMPAIGN has been launched to change the name of a street in Kidderminster as a tribute to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Labour councillor Leigh Whitehouse has sent emails to the chief executive and leader of Wyre Forest District Council to ask that officers look into renaming a road after Sir Tom following the news of his death on Tuesday.

The 100-year-old's death after testing positive for Covid-19 has prompted reaction from around the world and his memory is to be marked with a national clap at 6pm tonight (Wednesday).

As a lasting tribute to Sir Tom in Kidderminster, Cllr Whitehouse is proposing to rename a busy street in his name.

Cllr Whitehouse said: "I was in the queue at the pharmacy when the news broke about Captain Tom and everyone was talking about it. He may not have been from Wyre Forest but he has touched everyone here in some way.

"I personally know people who starter exercising more or raising money for charity after being inspired by Captain Tom and I think nine out of 10 people in Kidderminster would be supportive of paying tribute to him in this way.

"In the grand scheme of things, it won't cost a lot of money. I'm sure we'll be the first of many councils in the country to want to do this."

Cllr Whitehouse said he would ideally like the renamed street to be in his ward of Blakebrook and Habberley South, but said it should be a busy road like the Kidderminster to Stourport dual carriageway where people across the district can admire the tribute.

District council leader Graham Ballinger said the council would be considering the idea, but said it would be a "lengthy process".

"It does take ages to get a street name changed, there is a lengthy process with the Post Office etc. but I think this is a good idea that we will be seriously looking at," said Cllr Ballinger.

"To make the promise that this will definitely happen would be unreasonable but we certainly ought to find a way of recognising Captain Tom and what he achieved, which is frankly amazing.

"A man like this comes along only once in our lifetimes."

The House of Commons fell silent in tribute to Sir Tom ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions, and Mr Johnson told MPs the centenarian had dedicated his life to serving others.

Captain Tom became a household name after he set out to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday last April – but his efforts struck a chord with the nation and donations flooded in.

In acknowledgement of his fundraising, he was knighted by the Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle in summer 2020.