FRIENDS of a Knutsford campaigner who died three years ago this week have called on the powers that be in the town to commemorate his legacy with an official tribute.

Laurie Burton, who was the chairman of Knutsford Town Plan and chair of the Tatton Labour Party, died on March 22, 2011 at the age of 80, while a passenger in a car near Cottons Hotel on Manchester Road.

He was well known in Knutsford for passionately fighting for the rights of the town's elderly and disabled and had led a campaign in 2007 to save the now closed Bexton Court when it was first hit with closure.

But his friends have urged the town’s hierarchy to come up with a suitable – and permanent – tribute to the adopted Knutsfordian.

In 2011 it was mooted that the Manchester Road roundabout could be named after him but this was knocked back after town councillors believed it would be ‘too expensive’ to go through the process.

Mabel Taylor, one of Laurie’s many friends, told the Guardian that Laurie was dedicated to the town and as such should be commemorated accordingly.

“Later this month his friends will join together to remember Laurie Burton who died three years ago,” she said.

“Laurie was a man who worked hard for Knutsford, for his guiding hand launched the Knutsford Town Plan and he also fought tirelessly to protect health and social services for Knutsford.

“Yet despite Laurie’s dedication to the town and the three years which have passed since he died there has been no official tribute or commemoration dedicated to him.

“Possibly someone can explain why the people of Knutsford have not been more appreciative of Laurie`s efforts on their behalf?”

For two years friends of Laurie raised funds to purchase a headstone for his grave at the town’s Tabley Hill cemetery. It was unveiled in the summer of 2013.

Do you think Laurie deserves a permanent memorial in Knutsford? Leave a comment below or email the newsdesk at yourview@guardiangrp.co.uk