One man has been on a five-year-long campaign to get the late Wigan-born wrestling star Davey Boy Smith a Walk of Fame star in town.

Michael Finney, 41, from Lincolnshire, has been a wresting fan from a young age and has become a loyal friend to the family of the late “British Bulldog” who hailed from Golborne and died at the tragically early age of 39 in 2002.

In 2013, Michael started a successful campaign for Davey Boy to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and alongside Smith’s daughter, Georgia, they began to start a campaign to get him a Believe Star in Wigan too.

In five years it has received over 8,000 signatures.

Michael said: “It didn’t really surprise me I’ll be honest, because he was an international superstar, so I knew he had fans all over the world.”

The petition has also gained support from a wide list of celebrities and sporting stars such as Chris Jericho, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dean Cain and David Arquette.

For Michael, the thought of winning this campaign and finally getting Davey Boy Smith his star in his home town would be brilliant.

He said: “It will feel amazing because if he does get a star on the Wigan Walk of Fame, Davey will be the first British wrestler to ever receive a Walk of Fame star in the world and it will bring a lot of attraction into Wigan from fans from all over the world.”

The Believe Stars officially launched in 2012, with a walk of fame in Leigh on Civic Square and in Wigan on Believe Square.

The stars are only awarded to LIVING residents who have used their platform for good, but Michael and Georgia believe that this rule should be changed to include those who are no longer with us.

Michael said: “We feel like Wigan is missing out because of that one rule. If that rule can get changed I guarantee Wigan will see a lot more visitors from people coming to see their favourite superstar.

"I just think it’s a crying shame that Wigan is refusing to give this man recognition.”

Michael also claims that he did have a meeting with Wigan Council about a potential star around a month ago, but heard nothing back from them.

Georgia said: “I understand that Wigan Council currently limits Walk of Fame honours to living individuals. I respect that policies exist, but I also believe they can evolve.

“Shouldn’t the people who brought lasting pride to their hometown continue to be remembered after they’re gone?

“Hollywood recognises deserving individuals with posthumous stars on the Walk of Fame. Many communities honour local legends long after their passing.

“Even if the current rules cannot be changed immediately, surely there is a meaningful way to recognise Davey’s extraordinary contribution to Wigan and to British sporting history.

“If Wigan Council approves this honour, I will gladly book my flight from Tampa to the UK and proudly stand alongside the people of Wigan for the unveiling ceremony.”

When contacted for a comment Wigan Council did not provide a statement on Michael’s meeting or on the reasons for only giving a star to the living and whether this will change.