A grieving Rishton mum is bidding for a lasting memorial to her son near the spot where he was found hanged last month.

Carol Bayes, of Sands Close, wants to site a wrought iron bench near an area off Spring Street known as ‘the white path’, as a lasting tribute to son Michael Johnson.

Michael, 30, had worked as a joiner and was a keen fisherman but had succumbed to depression before his death.

He was known locally as Mick ‘Pot’ because when he first came to the town from Burnley he had a broken arm.

Popular Michael also spent a lot of his time trout and carp fishing.

He was heralded as a hero in 2006 when he tackled a mugger who attacked a female debt collector.

Carol, 53, said: "I’ve spoken to the council and they’ve sent me some plans as to where we could possibly put a bench.

"His friends wanted to give money so we thought we would have a bench for him. When we know where it’s going we can get a price for the bench, but we think it’s going to be about £160."

Mr Johnson’s funeral took place at Accrington Cemetery at 11am on July 30.

Carol added: "I just couldn’t believe the amount of people that turned out for his funeral. I think it showed how he went out of his way to help people. It was amazing."

Donations for Mick’s bench can be made to Carol on 07754 187156.