Friends of former Ashford resident and Blockbusters host Bob Holness are still holding out for a town centre tribute to him.

Calls were made for a road to commemorate the life of Mr Holness in the town even before he died, by Cllr Michael Claughton, Ashford council ward member for Bockhanger.

However, council rules at the time forbade the naming of roads after people who were still living, although this has now changed.

After Mr Holness’s death in January 2012, Alastair Dutch, president of Find A Voice, a charity of which Mr Holness was a patron, made a formal request to Ashford Borough Council that a road should be named in his honour.

But three years later the dream has not become a reality.

This week, Cllr Claughton (Con) said: “He was a man who never forgot his Ashford roots. He loved coming back to Ashford, and people don’t forget it.

“His name is still on the agenda. It would be a nice touch to remember him.

“Ideally somewhere close to the town centre. Somewhere individual.

“I’m sure there will be opportunities with the development due for the town centre.

“If we wait for the right moment and right spot, it will mean a lot.”

“If we wait for the right moment and right spot, it will mean a lot.” - Michael Claughton

Mr Holness, who grew up in Birling Road, passed away peacefully in his sleep aged 83.

He is probably known best for presenting student quiz show Blockbuster.

Mr Dutch knew Mr Holness for 20 years and described him as a “dear friend”.

He said: “He would come and open school fetes and was the first patron of Find A Voice.

“He did everything freely. He was proud of being an Ashford guy – he viewed it as his home in the UK.”

It has now been two years since Mr Dutch made a formal request to the council that a road be named in Mr Holness’ honour.

Mr Dutch added: “We put in the request shortly after Bob died.

“I am a bit frustrated it is taking as long as it is.

“The issue is what kind of street or road it would be. We’re waiting for an appropriate road.

“In the centre of Ashford would be better, rather than a housing estate on the edge of town. Maybe somewhere in the Park Mall area, which the council has just bought.

“Or near Birling Road, as he grew up there. That would be appropriate.

“I know Ros, his daughter, is keen for something to be done in Ashford.”

Ashford Borough Council says it is still waiting for a new road to become available that might be suitable to honour Mr Holness.

A statement from the council said: “Should we receive a formal application to change an existing road name, this would be considered by cabinet.”