JOHN Peel's legacy to music was due to be marked today by hundreds of gigs held across the UK.The first ever John Peel Day, held on the one-year anniversary of the broadcaster's last show, is billed as a day of celebration of the DJ's life and contribution to music.

JOHN Peel's legacy to music was due to be marked today by hundreds of gigs held across the UK.

The first ever John Peel Day, held on the one-year anniversary of the broadcaster's last show, is billed as a day of celebration of the DJ's life and contribution to music.

The legendary DJ, whose dedication to promoting new music launched the careers of countless musicians, died on October 25 last year from a heart attack while on holiday in Peru.

At least 300 concerts have been organised in venues ranging in size from the backrooms of pubs to large concert halls, many of them featuring the kind of unsigned bands Peel championed. Other events are also being held in Spain, Germany, Italy, the US, Holland, New Zealand and Canada.

A series of music events were taking place around the country today in honour of the legendary broadcaster.

In Ipswich, bands were set to perform on a specially erected stage on the Cornhill and during the evening at The Steamboat Tavern in tribute to the man who championed those who made the music he loved.

John Peel's widow Sheila Ravesncroft today said his music collection will not be leaving Suffolk for the foreseeable future.

She said she did not know where rumours that the DJ's records were to be given to a national archive had come from, adding: “To us the collection is John and it would be unthinkable to get rid of it. We are not emotionally ready. He only died a year ago.”