THE Bishop of Colchester has added his support to a campaign to recognise one of Colchester's forgotten heroes.

The Right Rev Roger Morris has joined the calls for a statue to be put up in honour of John Ball.

Mr Ball was also a priest, preaching at the St James the Great Church in East Hill, Colchester in the 14th century.

He challenged the way poor people were treated but his calls for social equality angered the authorities, including the archbishop of Canterbury Simon of Sudbury.

Ball was repeatedly imprisoned and was excommunicated and in 1366.

He was a leading figure in the Peasants’ Revolt and was eventually hanged, drawn and quartered in the presence of King Richard II in July 1381.

However, there is only one reference to the people's champion in Colchester - a street called John Ball Walk.

A group to set up a statue in his honour now has more than 700 supporters and leading campaigner, history teacher David Grocott, has also set up an online petition which has the support of 60 people.

To sign the petition, go to www.change.org and search for John Ball.

For more information, search for Let's put up a statue to John Ball in Colchester on Facebook.