A daily newspaper is calling on readers to suggest ideas for a new statue of a woman in the city it serves.

The Yorkshire Evening Post has marked International Women’s Day today by backing a campaign to get a statue erected of a notable Leeds woman.

The YEP backed the call from Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West, and Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake on its front page this morning.

Suggestions so far have ranged from prominent suffragette Mary Gawthorpe to writer Barbara Taylor Bradford, a former YEP typist.

A front page comment in the YEP reads: “Apart from Queen Victoria, Henry Moore’s reclining woman and some nymphs in city square, Leeds has no statue of a woman. And yet we have so many Leeds women who have left their mark in history.

“People who have worked for charities, for social reform, for racial equality – there are athletes, politicians, authors, businesswomen and scientists.

“So we are asking you, the YEP readers, on their behalf to come up with ideas on who YOU think should be commemorated in our city.

“No public money will go into this statue as it’s hoped the money will come from donations and fundraising from around Leeds.”

Editor Hannah Thaxter told HTFP: “The idea for the statue came very much from MP Rachel Reeves but it is something I personally am very, very pleased to get behind and something I wanted the YEP readers to be part of.

“We may not have a stand-out famous Leeds lass, and maybe that’s the point, perhaps at the end of the day we have a statue dedicated to the women of Leeds and representations of our famous politicians, philanthropists, workers, scientists, sportswomen and campaigners around that single figure.

“Having role models for young women is hugely important to inspire and encourage the next generation.”