A chimney sweep who became one of Brighton's great rebel folk heroes is being remembered 31 years after his death.

Harry Cowley, tireless campaigner for the homeless and unemployed, is the inspiration for the Cowley Club, a co-operative community centre set to open in London Road, Brighton.

Publishers also want to reissue a book about him, which came out in 1984 but has since fallen out of print.

About 500 people packed into St Peter's Church for Harry's funeral after his death in March 1971.

Cowley, affectionately known as The Guv'nor, fought Oswald Mosley's Fascists in the Thirties and formed the Brighton Vigilantes, part of the early squatters' movement.

He was born in 1890 in Lincoln Street, Brighton.

Harry started work at 13, going through a series of humble jobs before joining the Army and fighting in France during the First World War.

His campaigning began when he returned to Britain to find the country racked by deprivation.

He led a procession of unemployed men to Brighton Town Hall, where he won jobs for 600 people widening Ditchling Road.

When he discovered the men were not being paid the union rate, he told them to down tools while he negotiated a rise.

He also distributed bread and milk, while continuing his duties as a chimney sweep.

People flocked to his simple home in Grove Street, off Albion Hill, for help.

During the Thirties, he disrupted fascist blackshirts' meetings with loud music to drown out Mosley's speeches.

He formed a group to help homeless ex-servicemen, moving families into empty properties, often after dark.

His name has not been forgotten today: One of the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company's vehicles bears his name.

Publishers QueenSpark Books feel the time is right to reissue the book Who Was Harry Cowley?

Volunteer Jackie Blackwell said: "This is a very exciting time to be doing this, as the Cowley Club is about to open.

"The club is the kind of thing Harry would have been involved in. It's all about offering cheaper housing and a place for people to gather."

Unfortunately, many of the original photos and press cuttings used in the book are now unavailable.

Anyone who can help replace them should contact Jackie on 01273 571710 or email her at jackie@queensparkbooks.org.uk