Following the death of a much-loved busker mourners have come together to organise two memorials to honour him.

Paddy Delaney played the accordion at St Albans market for more than 35 years and died two weeks ago aged 86 at the Hospice of St Francis.

A charity busking day has been organised near the Clock Tower in St Albans for local bands and buskers to join together in a celebration of his life.

Melanie Wall, 42, of New Greens, St Albans, has been singing in duo MacLaren Wall for more than 20 years and is the driving force behind getting the day organised.

She said: “Performing in the city centre and entertaining the young and old, seems a very fitting way to raise funds but to also celebrate his life and all that he‘s given to St Albans folk over the past 35 years.

“The response has been very heart-warming. Even friends who are not musical offered help and friends who have local businesses offered to help in any way they could too.

“I envisage that on the day we all don stripy tops (and maybe a red neckerchief!) and pack the day with wonderful music. And yes, there will be nursery rhymes too, just as Paddy would have played.”

Alongside the busking event, nearly 900 signatures have been gathered in a petition for council permission to put a plaque near Paddy’s former busking spot in Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans.

The money raised from the busking day will go towards a plaque in the city centre, with any surplus going towards to Hospice of St Francis where Paddy spent his last days.

The busking day is set to take place this July (4) and if anyone is interested in playing, or businesses would like to help, email: wall.melanie@ymail.com.

The petition closing date is May 14. To sign it, visit: www.stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=1000000011&RPID=1001335462&HPID=1001335462.