A MEMORIAL to the late Keith Flint could bring thousands of fans from across the world to Braintree, it is claimed.

A petition to commission a statue of the Prodigy frontman was put before councillors during a meeting on Monday night after it had gathered more than 10,000 signatures.

The petition asked for a statue of Keith to be installed to inspire future generations to follow their dreams and mark his close links to his hometown.

When presenting the petition to the council, co-founder of the campaign Dave Parris described Keith as a “friend” to many people in Braintree.

He added: “We believe that Braintree Council have the power to never let us forget him by placing a permanent memorial in honour of him.

“Not only to symbolise his achievements, but also to help other speak out against the taboo subject that is mental health.

“We believe due to Keith’s unbelievable achievements, he has given so many people to be themselves and to follow their dreams.

“Recently a makeshift Prodigy-inspired Keith Flint memorial was added to a sign on the A120 which attracted millions of shares on social media and attracted huge media attention.

“Due to its location it was sadly very dangerous for the dozens upon dozens of people who visited it to obtain a picture with it – many of whom came from far and wide.

“That indicates there is an actual need for some sort of a permanent memorial but done correctly and obviously legally.”

Mr Parris also argued a memorial could potentially boost the town’s tourist industry as the monument would attract fans from across the world.

He added: “Braintree and Bocking will never forget his funeral and the thousands of people who lined the streets to show their respects were unprecedented scenes for this area.

“The response to this petition has been incredible and loads of people have stated that they would come and visit Braintree from various parts of the country and even abroad just to see the memorial.”

All councillors present at the meeting voted in favour of backing the petition and discussions will now take place on how the popular scheme can be moved forward.

Once a clear proposal has been agreed, the concept will then be put before cabinet members to vote on.

Council leader Graham Butland said: “Just this afternoon we had a phone call from John Fairs, the co-manager of the Prodigy to say he had spoken with Keith’s family and they would not oppose the idea of a statue if done in their words ‘tastefully’ and not ‘a literal image of Keith’.

“He says the rest of the band, he, himself and fans would agree to this also – 100 per cent.”

The memorial is likely to be installed in Braintree town centre or at another prominent location around the town.

There were no discussions about how the memorial would be funded.