A memorial bench and statue to commemorate businessman and philanthropist George A Moore is planned for Knaresborough.

The George A Moore Foundation has applied to Harrogate Borough Council for the memorial to be erected at High Bridge Gardens in the town.

The foundation said the statue would help to commemorate the life and achievements of the businessman and philanthropist.

A life-size bronze sculpture of Mr Moore would sit on the right hand side of the bench if the plans are approved.

An umbrella, coat and newspaper will be permanently secured to the cast iron and stainless steel bench along with the sculpture.

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The style of the bench will be similar to that of Mother Shipton’s statue in Knaresborough Market Square, which the George A Moore Foundation contributed to.

In documents submitted to the council, the foundation said:

The council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

George A Moore

Born in 1928 at the Mitre public house in Knaresborough, George Moore left his local secondary modern to put his carpentry skills to the good use.

He formed his first business at Cottingley near Bingley, which later expanded into manufacturing high quality kitchen furniture and prepared joinery for local authority housing.

His business Moore’s Furniture Group employed hundreds of people at Thorp Arch Trading Estate near Wetherby.

In 1970, Mr Moore formed his foundation which started off as a welfare fund for his staff. But it was later enhanced after he sold his business and went onto to become a respected grant making foundation.

Mr Moore was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace in 1988 for his business career and was later awarded Knight of St John status in 1995.

He died at his home on the Isle of Man on September 16, 2016, aged 88.