The people of Leek have been thanked for their efforts in trying to get a local musicians song into the charts after he sadly died from Covid recently.

Leek Nub News reported recently how Leek musician Marcus Birks died aged 40 on Friday after being admitted to the intensive care unit at Royal Stoke University Hospital earlier this month.

A campaign was then launched to get Marcus's music to chart in his memory. Marcus was in a group called The Cameleonz with his wife Lis.

People were asked to download their track "Should I Stay", with the aim of getting it to chart as high as possible in last week's UK singles chart.

Unfortunately the song didn't manage to make it into the UK Top 40, however, there are still plenty of positives to take from the campaign.

At one point, the track reached number one on Amazon's best sellers list, and remained in their top 10 all week - a huge achievement by all who took part.

Two versions of the song also reached number 67 and number 68 on iTunes, overtaking huge hits such as Save Your Tears by The Weeknd and for a couple of days even outselling Mr Brightside by The Killers, which has spent more consecutive weeks in the charts than any other song.

The song also received plays on radio and TV for the first time ever thanks to the campaign.

Tributes have been paid following Marcus' death, including from 90s DJ Sash, who reached number two in the UK singles chart in 1997 with Encore Une Fois.

He said: "I have no words. R.I.P. dear Marcus Birks. You are gone much much too early. My deepest feelings are now with Lis and the whole family."

If you would still like to buy the song, it can be found on Amazon music here for 99p or on iTunes for 79p.

A fundraiser has also been launched in Marcus' memory, which has currently raised over £1,000. If you would like to donate, click here.