TAXI drivers in Devizes have won backing from the town council for plans to put a bench in the town centre in memory of Ollie Fielding.

The proposal to honour Mr Fielding received unanimous backing on Tuesday evening but finer details about exactly where in St John's Street the seat will be placed are yet to be ironed out.

Wiltshire and town councillor Sue Evans said after the meeting: "I was approached by the taxi drivers for my help to approval for the bench. I am delighted the town council was in support of it. The drivers themselves are paying for the bench."

Larger than life character Mr Fielding, whose first name was really Raymond but was known to everyone at Ollie, set up his firm Ollie's Taxis in 2003 and continued to work until a month before his death at Great Western Hospital, Swindon aged 76 in April.

On Tuesday town councillors spoke of the service Mr Fielding had given the town by being a safe and helpful driver. Former mayor Sarah Bridewell said: "I often used Ollie. He was the person I trusted if I had the mayoral chain with me. I think this is a lovely gesture."

Taxi drivers have asked for the bench to be put by the taxi rank outside Barclays Bank but Mrs Bridewell and others felt this part of the pavement might be too narrow as the bank has a bow window and suggested it might be better outside Santander.

Coun Chris Greenwood asked for the bench to have rounded edges so it would not be a hazard for partially sighted people and Coun Kelvin Nash also thought it should be made of metal so maintenance would be kept to a minimum.

Coun Evans said: "All the taxi drivers really want this and will be pleased to pay for it."

Mr Fielding's daughter Mandy Little speaking on behalf of his family said: "We think it is a lovely idea."

Mr Fielding, who got his nickname after his headmaster at Urchfont Primary decided he did not look like a Raymond, died just days after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

He left four children Glen, known as Benner, Gary, Michele and Mandy and had 11 great grandchildren including triplets Dean, Steven and Sean but Sean died as a baby from cot death. He also had eight great grandchildren.

He was a big believer in giving blood and donated 80 pints. He only stopped after suffering a heart attack and was told he could not continue to donate.