THE funeral of Bradford's 'Jesus Man' Geoffrey Brindley will be held later this month at Bradford Cathedral in order to accommodate up to 500 mourners, it has been announced.

The funeral ceremony will take place from 1pm on Tuesday, October 13, and will be followed by a private cremation for family members only.

A spokeswoman for Bradford Cathedral said that the larger venue had been chosen because it could hold more people, although the numbers of mourners expected to attend Mr Brindley's funeral could not be known.

The Cathedral can normally accommodate about 350 people but can cope with up to 500 by adding temporary seating, said the spokeswoman.

"He was well known in the city and we are expecting the funeral to be well attended," said a Cathedral spokeswoman.

The funeral service will be conducted by Baildon parish priest, the Reverend Sandra Benham. Mr Brindley had lived in Baildon for many years.

Further details of the funeral arrangements are expected to be released in the coming days.

A family notice due to appear in the Telegraph & Argus next week will include a photograph of Mr Brindley wearing his trademark robe.

It will recall his friendly nature and the way he would smile and wave to passersby and friends as he walked the streets of Bradford for five decades.

The notice will include the poignant words: "A smile and a wave costs nothing."

It will pay tribute to him as "one of Bradford's best loved characters" who "walked the streets of the city for over 50 years."

Donations made at the funeral will be given to the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds' charity appeal.

Mr Brindley died in August at the age of 88. He was a well known figure in the Bradford area and noted for his distinctive brown robe, sandals and a satchel draped over his shoulder.

The Telegraph & Argus reported in 1960 how Mr Brindley, then 33, gave up his job as a machinist to live in a cave near Settle in order to receive a message from God.

He spent 12 days in the cave before setting off back to Bradford wearing a habit.

In August Mr Brindley was taken ill at his home in Baildon where he had fallen down the stairs.

He was found by the friend he has shared the property with for the last 25 years.

Mr Brindley died on August 24 at Bradford Royal Infirmary, 11 days after he was taken ill.

Following his death, Bradford Coroner's Office appealed for relatives of Mr Brindley to come forward.

A niece came forward following the appeal.