Michael Jackson’s father Joe Jackson has launched a campaign to create a museum honouring the late pop megastar in his hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Jackson joined Gary Mayor Rudolph Clay at a Las Vegas casino to announce the decision. The mayor has promised Jackson a 10-acre site near the city’s convention centre.

At present, the cost and content of the museum are unknown and an operator has not been appointed.

It is also not known whether the rest of the Jackson family will help to fund the project.

The Daily Telegraph quoted businessman Simon Shouri, who is helping with the fundraising, as saying: “We’re still in the planning stages, this is the first step. We’re open to whatever ways to make this dream a reality.

“The purpose is to establish the memory of one of the greatest musical icons we’ve ever had.”