THE ruling Labour group on North Lincolnshire Council wants to name the main bar at the £14.4-million new-look Scunthorpe Baths Hall in honour of the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

An approach has been made through friends to his widow Sheila Ravenscroft and an official response is awaited.

It is hoped Mrs Ravenscroft will personally attend the re-opening of the Doncaster Road venue next summer as part of the 75th anniversary of the creation of the borough of Scunthorpe

Her husband, who died aged 65 in Peru in 2004, was an avid supporter of the Baths Hall.

Before it closed in August 2006, Peel was often quoted as stating the 900-capacity venue was one of his favourites in the UK for live gigs.

John regularly made guest appearances at the venue, playing his favourite tunes, such as Echo Beach by Martha And The Muffins.

On one occasion in 1986, he led the judge panel at the annual Scunthorpe Rock Open final at The Baths.

When San Francisco rockers Faith No More played the Baths on January 28, 1988, Peel was commissioned by The Sunday Observer to write a review.

But the revered broadcaster did not pull rank.

John was unrecognised as he queued outside the Doncaster Road building, waiting to pay his £2.50 admission.

He later told Observer readers he liked the Baths and its patrons.

John said: "Most of the merry-makers seem to know each other, so they do not mind making fools of themselves and will dance to almost anything."

John Clugston, the chairman of the preferred Baths builder at the Scunthorpe-based Clugston Group, yesterday inspected a scale model of the new 2,000-capacity venue which has gone on public display at the town's Pittwood House.

Mr Clugston was joined by council leader Councillor Mark Kirk who said: "It was great to meet with John. It marks a significant point in the project.

"With work planned to start at the of April people don't have long to wait to witness plans for Scunthorpe's landmark entertainment venue become a reality."

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