Coronation Street star William Roache has called for fundraisers to get their act together to create a memorial for Bryan Mosley.

Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in the popular soap, said he was quite prepared to donate both his time and his money in aid of the cause if a properly-organised fundraising committee was appointed.

The sprightly 68-year-old, who is the world's longest-serving soap star after more than 40 years' service, was speaking at Victoria Hall, Saltaire, where he was a guest of Shipley Conservatives on Saturday.

He said: "I would give money, time and whatever was needed if there was some sort of organisation.

"Until there is, one can't even begin to consider it. As a celebrity, one's main contribution is time.

"I'm all for the memorial, but there doesn't seem to be any organisation. There is no fundraising committee with a chairman and a secretary and committee members."

Bryan Mosley, who played shopkeeper-turned-Mayor Alf Roberts for 37 years, died aged 67 after collapsing in his hometown of Shipley, having suffered a heart attack.

The Bryan Mosley Memorial Trust Fund was launched during a fun day in Market Square in July 1999.

And 18 months ago Bradford's then Lord Mayor Councillor Tony Miller spearheaded the idea of a permanent tribute to Bryan Mosley in his hometown of Shipley.

But despite support for the memorial from major stars including Sir Cliff Richard and comedian Ken Dodd, the Telegraph & Argus revealed last December that only £10 had been raised towards the fund's £25,000 to £30,0000 target.

Councillor John Carroll (Con, Shipley West), chairman of the Shipley Town Centre Partnership, said the issue was on the agenda for the group's next meeting on January 24. "Councillor Tony Miller has got trustees in place including Bill Roache, Sir Cliff Richard and Ken Dodd," he said.

Bill Roache, second from right, and his wife Sara, left, are pictured talking to Shipley Conservatives.