A hero who averted a horrific train crash in Witham could soon be immortalised in the town centre.

Quick-thinking Ben Sainty saved hundreds of lives after the doomed Cromer Express train came off the rails in 1905.

The railway worker, who lived in the town's Braintree Road, changed the signals and in the nick of time stopped another oncoming train hitting the wreckage.

Ten passengers and a porter were killed in the crash but the statistics would have been much worse had it not been for Mr Sainty.

The signalman - whose grandson and great grandson still live in the area - later received a certificate from railway authorities congratulating him on his swift actions.

Now officials - led by Witham mayor Tom Hewitt - are hoping to provide a lasting reminder of him in time for the centenary of the crash.

Mr Hewitt said: "Mr Sainty was a famous occupant of Witham at the turn of the last century and deserves to be acknowledged.

"A parade of houses have already been named after him in Collingwood Road but this would be another way of paying a lasting tribute to his actions."

Those spearheading the project now plan to gauge public reaction before considering the cost and location of the statue.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.