WHEN Tommy Kennedy met famous fashion designer Ossie Clark in 1972 as he visited Beamont Technical School, he was fascinated by him.

Ossie, a working-class man from Warrington had headed to London and taken the fashion world by storm.

And he interested Tommy so much, he has chosen to write a new book on him and hopes that those who knew him in Warrington can help him on his quest.

He said: “When Ossie came to our school, he inspired me in 1972 and we all knew about him. He came and gave a speech while we were in the assembly hall.

“Ever since then, it’s always stuck in my mind.

“I live five minutes from where he was murdered and I’ve been writing for a few years.

“I just thought there has no film made about him and I just thought I would bring him to a new audience.

“What I’m looking for is people who have good stories about him up north. I know a lot of his friends down here in Notting Hill, but to get an in-depth picture of him I need to do some research.”

Before moving to London in the 1980s, Tommy was based on Liverpool Road in Great Sankey.

Ossie Clarks impact on fashion was described as huge

Ossie Clark's impact on fashion was described as huge

He would like to have his own take on Ossie's life and his impact on people across the country.

The 61-year-old added: “There was a book written on him years ago but I’d like to do it from my perspective and depict him in a better light because it did have a sad ending, but he had a hell of a good time and made a massive impact on British culture in the 60s and 70s.

“His impact was huge. Everyone was wearing his designs in the 60s and 70s – he was a superstar.

“I would be made up if we can do it. There’s a massive story there anyway with a working-class boy who comes out of Warrington to go to London and becomes the talk of the town.

“I’d like to celebrate his life and bring him to a new audience rather than concentrate on the negatives – there was a lot of good things that happened.

The book – which will be published by New Haven Publishing – could take upwards of a year to write and if he does so, it will mark the 50th anniversary of Tommy meeting Ossie in 1972.

“I’m looking forward to the task.”

If anyone wants to contact Thomas with information of Ossie, contact tommykiv@gmail.com