PLAQUES similar to those found on London's tourist attractions may be placed on Cricklade's historic build-ings.

The Cricklade Historical Society hopes the plaques will attract more visitors as well as inform locals about the town's past.

The society wants to highlight 12 buildings by erecting rectangular plaq-ues in Cricklade's town colours of dark green and red, with pale cream letter-ing.

The list includes St Samp-son's Parish Hall in Bath Road, a Grade II listed building which used to be known as Jenner's School.

A London goldsmith called Robert Jenner was MP for Cricklade from 1628 to 1648 and built the free school in 1652.

Other buildings ear-marked for the project include private houses on the High Street as well as Alkerton House, St John the Baptist Priory, the Vale hotel, the White Hart Hotel and Prior Park School.

Alistair Dickson, chair-man of Cricklade Historical Society, came up with the idea after seeing similar plaques in other Wiltshire towns. He said: "I saw the oval plaques in Cirencester. They have been up for four years and I thought it would be a good idea for Cricklade.

"Much of Cricklade's history is not immediately evident to the eye for example the story behind some of the town's older houses.

"The society has instigated a programme that will to some degree improve the knowledge of town's history for residents and visitors and, we hope, make it a more interesting place to visit.

"By putting up these plaques, it draws attention to the buildings so people don't just walk past them.

"In a small town like this we thought about starting off with a dozen or so plaques.

"Later on we are hoping to put up some more finger posts such as in the centre."

Planning permission from the Town Council has been granted but the society is awaiting full planning approval from North Wilts District Council.