BRADFORD'S so-called Jesus Man is still fighting for his life after suffering a stroke last week.

A close friend of Geoffrey Brindley told the Telegraph & Argus today that the 88-year-old was off a ventilator and breathing on his own.

Mr Brindley, who is also known as the Airedale Monk, was taken ill on Thursday last week. His friend said he fell down the stairs at his home in Baildon. He was found by the friend he has shared the property with for the last 25 years.

The friend told the Telegraph & Argus today: "He is still alive and he is breathing on his own. He is comfortable. He is as well as he can be under the circumstances.

"The staff are doing a good job. He is off the ventilator and breathing on his own.

"He is not showing massive signs of recovery, but he is being well looked after. There is a little bit of progress but not what we hoped for."

The friend added that Bradford Cathedral was happy to welcome anyone who wanted to pray for Mr Brindley. The doors are open from 9am to 4pm, seven days a week, and people are asked to use the Church Bank entrance.