A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to build a statue to Brian Epstein, often referred to as “the fifth Beatle”.

The man who discovered the band in Liverpool’s Cavern Club in 1961, Epstein is credited with developing the ‘Merseybeat’ sound, and also managed Gerry and the Pacemakers and Cilla Black.

Campaigners have aimed to raise at least £60,000 to erect the statue in Liverpool.

The project’s sculptor, Andy Edwards, has previously created a bronze of the Fab Four, which stands in the city's Pier Head.

Mr Edwards said: “After spending a lot of time staring at Brian Epstein’s face, I see before anything else, the charm and feeling in his eyes.

“I see a smile born of trust. A smile that elicits a smile back, an exchange of confidence and encouragement in what might happen. This is what I want to capture in Brian’s sculpture to share with everyone who will see it.

“At the unveiling of the statues of The Beatles, I made a silent dedication in my mind. This is for all those who love The Beatles – and for all those who don’t.

“We will be creating something equally as special and fitting for Brian.”

Tom Calderbank, the project lead, added: “We aim to create a unique, beautiful and lasting sculptural tribute to Brian – a world first for one of the world’s great creative individuals.”

Born to Jewish parents in Liverpool in 1934, Epstein discovered the Beatles while running his family’s North End Music Store (NEMS).

He died of a drug overdose, aged 32.

The Brian Esptein Statue Project was launched on Thursday – the 85^th anniversary of the music entrepreneur’s birth – and will run for five weeks.

A location for the statue has not yet been named, but the project committee has said it “welcomes suggestions from interested parties via social media as to where they would like to see the statue sited”.

The Epstein family said he would have been “immensely touched by the consistent efforts to pay tribute to his contribution to the Beatles and the city of Liverpool”.