THE BLUE plaque scheme commemorating Manchester's greatest sons and daughters is to be brought back under town hall plans.

The planned revival of the once popular plaque scheme, abandoned in 2000 because of a lack of research funds, is one of the recommendations of a public art review by council bosses.

A trio of public artworks to commemorate the city's radical past would also be commissioned under the plans.

Remembered

The Peterloo Massacre, women winning the vote and the abolition of the slave trade will all be remembered by new pieces of art as part of the proposals to create iconic destinations within the city and boost civic pride.

Blue plaques can still be seen on the homes and workplaces of individuals who have contributed to the advancement of key fields including science, business and the arts, in the city.

The plans will also see the revival of red and black plaques - red commemorating key events in Manchester's history and black marking out buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

'Popular'

The last plaque erected under the scheme was a red one at Platt chapel, a Unitarian chapel in Rusholme, in 2000.

Coun Mike Amesbury, Manchester's member for culture and leisure, said: "The Manchester plaques scheme is something which has previously been extremely popular throughout the city and we are keen to explore the possibility of reinstating it.

'Pride'

'There is clearly a great deal of pride felt by local people for public figures from the city and a commemorative plaque seems a fitting way to recognise those who have represented Manchester so well."

The city's director of culture has pointed to three landmark events in the city's history - the 1819 massacre, the fight for women's suffrage pioneered by Manchester's Pankhurst sisters, and the work of petitioners in the city towards the abolition of the slave trade - as starting points for public art commissions, themed `radical Manchester'.

The council is in discussion with Arts Council England in the north west for advice on taking the project forward.

Coun Amesbury added: "It is important that we publicly celebrate and remember the causes of justice for which Manchester and its people have fought. It is a legacy that Manchester should always remember and is something we want to see honoured clearly in the city centre as a worthy tribute to the city's radical past."