A CAMPAIGN to create a unique memorial to honour the life of Gilstead-born astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle has been launched in the centenary of his birth.

The Bingley Civic Trust wants to commemorate the internationally-renowned physicist who founded Cambridge Institute of Astronomy with more than the existing blue plaque at his old school, Bingley Grammar, and his name on a stretch of the town's bypass.

And the Trust has teamed up with Bingley Community Council Group to gather popular opinion on a possible memorial to be placed in Myrtle Park, said organiser Ruth Leman.

"Although his name's on the bypass, some people have no idea who Sir Fred Hoyle was," Mrs Leman said.

"He was a fascinating man, and a real Yorkshireman.

"Born in Gilstead and educated at Eldwick Primary and Bingley Grammar Schools, he was one of the great physicists of the last century.

"2015 presents a perfect opportunity for Bingley to celebrate the life and achievements of one its most illustrious sons.

"We'd also like to hold events to explore the fascinating question: how did the universe begin?

"Another aspect is we are hoping to attract a high profile speaker to get involved, ideally someone such as the physicist Brian Cox," she said.

Mrs Leman said they had already contacted the Sir Fred Hoyle archive at St John's College, Cambridge, which had agreed to provide material for an information board to go with any memorial.

"And we have also been in touch with his son Geoffrey, who has told me how Sir Fred was fascinated by time from an early age, so maybe some kind of sundial might be appropriate.

"Or we might make some kind of scientific play equipment or even an astronomy themed giant hopscotch."

Mrs Leman said another idea was to create a walk around the main landmarks linked to his time in Bingley and named in his autobiography "The Small World of Fred Hoyle."

Ros Dawson, chairman of BCCG said they were keen to support the idea.

"It would be great to commemorate the centenary and really get a bit of a buzz going in Bingley," she said.

Anyone interested in being involved is invited to an informal meeting in the bar of the Oakwood Hall Hotel, Lady Lane on Wednesday, March 11at 7pm.

And more details are available on the campaign's Fred Hoyle Project Facebook site or by emailing: bingleyfredhoyleproject@gmail.com