A BLUE plaque has been unveiled at the former home of the late Buzzcocks singer Pete Shelley.

Pete, from Leigh, died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Estonia in December 2018 at the age of 63.

To mark the two-year anniversary of his passing, a plaque was revealed at his former Leigh home.

Malcolm Garrett, a designer who worked with Buzzcocks, unveiled the plaque.

Pete's family were in attendance for the revealing.

The blue plaque, though provided by the council, is thanks to the hard work and long-standing relationship with the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign Group, who have been raising funds for more than a year for a permanent memorial in the town.

Following the musical icon's death, a fundraising campaign was set up with the aim of paying for a memorial of Pete to be put in place in his hometown.

The Bolton News: Pete ShelleyPete Shelley

A host of sell-out gigs, auctions and an exhibition at The Turnpike in Leigh in December 2019 dedicated to the popular artist have generated just under £12,000 for the cause.

And an album, titled Yesterday's Not Here, which features covers of songs written by Pete, is set to be released in December with the profits being put in the campaign pot.

Co-founder of the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign, Paul Lally said: "Right at the beginning of the campaign I did not expect it to be as successful as it has become.

"We have had people from all over the UK coming to gigs in Leigh.

"The last three gigs we have had have all sold out.

"The main thing is that we want to keep Pete's legacy alive forever because we feel it is important for inspirational purposes.

"He started from humble beginnings in Leigh and went on to achieve massive things."