FRIENDS of the "gentle giant" found dead in a Clitheroe town centre brook have launched a campaign to raise charity cash in his memory.

Pals of Anthony Leecy want to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

A collection at Clitheroe Social Club has already raised more than £1,000 and "chatterbox" Nicola Clifford wants to double the money in a sponsored silence tomorrow.

Nicola's cousin Julia Harris, of Standen Road, Clitheroe, said: "Anthony was a popular lad and we wanted to do something positive in his memory. His parents have nominated the NSPCC because he was particularly kind to local children."

Nicola, of Hayhurst Street, Clitheroe, hopes to keep quiet for three hours during a fancy dress pub crawl.

The 19-year-old catering student said she had never kept quiet for three minutes, let alone three hours.

She said: "I like a good chinwag, but I am determined to keep quiet for three hours. Anyone in the town centre is invited to try to get me to talk, but if they fail they have to cough up. If they don't, I'll chew their ear off the first chance I get!" Julia added: "It will be very hard for her. She is such a chatterbox and never shuts up. We hope people will be generous and help us reach our £1,000 target," she said.

Anthony's heartbroken parents, Tony and Ann, live near to Julia on Standen Road. Their bingo enthusiast son would often share his winnings with friends and local children.

Anthony's body was found by a man walking his dog on April 1. A man has been charged with his murder.

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