A memorial bench for Finchley legend Horace White could be funded by Barnet Council if members vote in favour of the idea next month.

East Finchley councillor Arjun Mittra called for a motion that the authority pays for and delivers an engraved bench in memory of the popular figure.

Horace was extremely well known in the North Finchley area, where he hung around outside shops and chatted to passers-by for more than three decades.

The 54-year-old died suddenly when he collapsed outside the Whittington Hospital on September 24.

More than 400 people attended his funeral and a Facebook group entitled RIP Horace attracted more than 10,000 ‘Likes’.

An online petition calling for a memorial bench gathered nearly 6,000 web signatures but councillors could set in motion plans for the permanent tribute at full council on November 6.

Councillor Mittra said: "Horace was well known and loved in the community. I attended his funeral along with 400 other people a few weeks ago, and there were many fond stories and memories related. Literally thousands of people have left messages on Facebook, and I think there is a real demand in the community for a proper way to remember him."