CAMPAIGNS to erect a statue of Bradford's Jesus Man, who died yesterday, have started on social media.

The two Facebook pages dedicated to Geoffrey Brindley have attracted nearly 9,000 'likes' after being set up last night.

'BRADFORD JESUS MAN' DIES IN HOSPITAL AFTER SUFFERING STROKE IN FALL AT HOME

Mr Brindley, 88, died at Bradford Royal Infirmary 11 days after suffering a stroke at his home in Baildon.

The Facebook pages - 'Statue for Bradford Jesus Man' and 'Build a Statue for Bradford Jesus Man' - had 4,643 and 3,968 'likes' at 9am this morning. The page moderators want to get as many 'likes' as possible before presenting their idea to Bradford Council.

Tributes have continued to pour in for Mr Brindley, who was well-known in the district and was regularly spotted walking the streets in a brown robe and sandals, with a satchel around his neck.

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Among them is a rap song by 21-year-old Bradford man Leejay Roberts that he dedicated to Mr Brindley. On his Facebook page alongside a video of him rapping, Mr Roberts said: "Just something I wrote now paying my respects to a known legend from Bradford! I see it touched a lot of people today! Here's a little something from me!"

SEE LEEJAY ROBERTS'S RAP TRIBUTE TO 'BRADFORD JESUS MAN' GEOFFREY BRINDLEY

Henry Nixon, 68, of Brighouse, said: "I remember the feature in the Telegraph & Argus did about him being in a cave in Settle. Certain things stick in your mind and that sticks with me."

He added: "I lived at Wyke for 26 years and he used to walk from Odsal, through Wyke, to Huddersfield. He used to get all over the place.

"It is sad what has happened."

A woman called Kat said: "Geoffrey came to see my dad once a week and spent nearly every Christmas with us from the late 1960s until 1985, when my dad passed away. Rest peacefully, uncle Geoffrey, your walk is done."