He was the much-loved partying pensioner who became synonymous with Mr Smith’s and, almost one year on from his death, the family of Stan the Man want to make sure his legacy lives on.

Stan Knowles, who was known for his party-loving ways, died in December after being rushed to hospital at the age of 90. In recent years he had been struggling with a number of health problems.

His death sparked an overwhelming response from Warrington Guardian readers, many of whom had shared a dance with the popular pensioner during a night on the town.

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His daughter Barbara Devaney, who works for the family business which was set up by Stan’s grandson 10 years ago, hopes to name the company’s latest venture in his memory.

Warrington Guardian:

PICTURED: The new housing development on Burtonwood Road

Ensign, and its sister company Mcleary Homes, is currently building a small development of seven bungalows on land off Burtonwood Road in Great Sankey.

She said: “We want to call it Stanley Place or Gardens.

“We know he would be made up if we can make this happen – anything to do with fame.

“I know a lot of people called for him to be immortalised in some way.

“We want to pay some form of tribute and we think this would be perfect.”

Building work has already started at the development which should be completed in the spring.

But the family have already hit their first setback after the council declined their request.

Stan’s grandson Luke Mcleary, who is the managing director at the Penketh-based company, said the family were determined to leave no stone unturned to turn their memorial hopes into a reality.

He said: “It was always our goal to leave something in memory of Stan.

“He would love anything like this and this is why we want to try to do it.

“We are up for the fight to make sure we achieve this. It would mean the world to him.

“We would have been able to get him out of bed for the opening. He loved the publicity and to know that everyone was thinking of him.”

A council spokesman said: “The council received a request to name a road, in a new development off Burtonwood Road, either Stanley Place or Stanley Gardens in September.

"Unfortunately as there are already two roads in Warrington with Stanley in their name we are unable, under national guidance, to use Stanley in any further new roads.

"We offered to discuss alternative options for a name with the housing company at the time of the original request and that offer remains open.”