Calls are growing for a pensioner who tried to save MP Jo Cox to be officially honoured for his bravery.
Bernard Kenny, 77, was stabbed in the stomach as he went to the aid of Mrs Cox when she was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday.
The 41-year-old Labour MP for Batley and Spen died from her injuries. A man, 52, has been charged with her murder.
A petition to Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock said "hero" Mr Kenny deserved the "highest honour".
It has passed its initial target of 4,000 backers.
The George Cross is the highest bravery honour that can be given to non-military personnel.
Thomas Mair, who appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey on Monday, is charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.
Mr Kenny, who is in a stable condition in hospital, is understood to be a former miner who was part of the rescue operation during a 1973 Yorkshire mining disaster.
Seven men died when part of the now-closed Lofthouse Colliery, near Leeds, flooded.
The petition calls on the Home Office "to award the George Cross to hero who fought attacker of Jo Cox MP".
It adds: "We believe that Bernard Kenny deserves the highest honour for bravery that this country can award.
"The Cabinet Office must make it so as quickly as possible, so that our nation's thoughts are on love and bravery rather than hate and fear."
Eddie Downes, a mining historian and engineer, said he was not surprised by Mr Kenny's actions in Birstall.
He said: "He's a rescue man - they put their lives on the line whenever they went into a mine, they're a breed apart.
"He's superb, not a lot of people would have done that."
- Britain's highest award for gallantry, along with Victoria Cross
- It is the top bravery award that civilians can receive
- Also presented to members of the military for heroism not in the presence of the enemy
- Introduced in 1940 by Winston Churchill to recognise the courage of civilians during the aerial bombing of the UK
Mr Kenny's actions were remembered at a church service at St Peter's Church in Birstall on Sunday.
Parishioner Leif Wickes, who led prayers, said that "despite his 77 years" Mr Kenny "intervened in the attack to try to save Jo's life and was stabbed and badly injured".
He added: "We give thanks for his courage and his example and pray for his speedy recovery."
MPs, who had been in recess for the EU referendum, have been recalled to the Commons to remember Mrs Cox.
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