An Elephant Man statue should be erected in his home city, residents have said, as the local council was told it should be "ashamed" of ignoring him.

Campaigners based in Leicester have begun raising money via a crowdfunder to make a memorial to Joseph Merrick, who lived there for most of his life.

They hope to raise £110,000 after being given a price estimate by sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn, who has agreed to take on the project.

Joanne Vigor-Mungovin, a verger at Leicester Cathedral, who is promoting the appeal and has written a book about the famous resident, said the town council should be ashamed of not acknowledging Merrick.

He was labelled the "Elephant Man" because of his contorted features, and his life story was told in a Hollywood movie starring John Hurt.

Merrick, whose condition did not develop until he was five, has inspired a number of books, alongside an award-winning play.

His head eventually measured 36 inches, with researchers claiming the deformities were the cause of Proteus syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

Mrs Vigor-Mungovin said "There is a blue information board near Lee Street NCP multi-storey car park which informs the visitor that Joseph Merrick was born there.

"The information board tells you more about Sid James opening the Tesco superstore then our own local resident.