One of Bradford’s biggest champions is to be commemorated by children on their heritage trail with the help of a Skipton historian.

The students at St Oswald’s School in Great Horton will celebrate the life of musician, poet, performer and politician, William Beckett – or Wild Willi to his followers – when they unveil a history path from his former home at Ramsden Court, Great Horton.

Historian Malcolm Hanson has been helping the youngsters develop the path and learn all about madcap Mr Beckett, who died of cancer in 2006, aged 59.

Hundreds of musicians turned out for his “One Last One” farewell concert only a few weeks before his death.

Mr Hanson said: “Originally from Tyneside, he adopted Bradford and was one of its biggest supporters. He called it ‘the greatest place in the world’.”

Mr Beckett was a member of the city’s alternative arts set with his band Psycho Surgeons, the first western group to play in East Germany and the Czech Republic when the Iron Curtain came down.

Mr Hanson said: “I took the children to see his home and told them his story, also playing his CDs. They have taken Willi to their hearts and it was agreed that he should be placed on the Heritage Trail.

“He was a wonderful character bringing mirth and gaiety to Bradford – not just as a wit, poet and musician/performer, but also as shadow minister for mental health for the Monster Raving Loony Party.

“He also did a massive amount for charity, being a leading member of the Bradford Soup Run.”

The trail will be opened tomorrow outside Mr Beckett’s old home and one of the pupils will tell his life story.

Mr Hanson said: “There are no plaques to Willi, just his story. He won no awards, no-one ever rewarded him for his endeavours. But now there will be something.”