Fred's relatives in line for cash

Any surviving relatives of Fred the former Wolverhampton ring road tramp were today being sought by the Government to claim a share of his secret stash of cash.

See also: Fred's life in pictures

The 87-year-old Pole died in October last year after more than three decades of living on Ring Road St John's in Snow Hill - despite it later emerging he had saved up thousands of pounds in untouched pension money over 20 years.

The Treasury Solicitor is looking to allocate a share of his estate to anyone who can prove they are related to Fred, whose real name was Josef Stawinoga.

Otherwise his money will go to the public purse. The news as it was today revealed Wolverhampton City Council has ruled out using public money to build a memorial to him - partly because of the authority's financial situation.

Council spokeswoman Felicity Roberts said: "The council has not formally considered any proposal for a memorial but we are aware that some community groups have raised money towards such an idea.

"Any such proposal would require planning consent.

"In the light of the council's budgetary position and the mixed public reaction it is felt that a private subscription approach is most appropriate." The Treasury Solicitor has not released the value of Fred's estate but the money was enough to pay for his funeral with plenty spare.

Any relatives of Fred have several years to come forward. If no one does his cash will boost Government coffers at the Treasury.

The Treasury Solicitor got involved as Fred died without leaving a will or any entitled kin.

The Government department only deals with solvent estates, leaving a net balance of £500 or above, and approximately 2,000 cases are referred to the department each year.

To try to find any entitled kin, officials have issued advertisements and Fred's details may also appear on the www.bonavacantia .gov.uk website.

Respondents are required to provide evidence of their blood relationship in the form of birth, marriage and death certificates, along with evidence of their identity.

A simple ceremony in Polish was held at Bushbury Crematorium to say goodbye to Fred in November last year.

He was well-known throughout the city having lived on the ring road for years. He was found dead in his tent on October 28. A post mortem ruled he died of pneumonia.