One of Esher's most famous residents has finally been remembered in his own town.

Queen Victoria's favourite sculptor has been honoured with a blue plaque bearing his name on the outside of his former house in Esher High Street.

Francis James Williamson's plaque is the first to be unveiled as part of Esher Resident Association's (ERA) scheme to bring attention to famous and important people who have lived in the town.

Peter Hills, from the ERA, said: "We are trying to preserve the history of the area and make people more aware of it. We hope it will help bring people together."

Williamson was world-renowned and his sculpture of Queen Victoria stands on the green in Esher High Street.

Other pieces of his work are on view in the National Portrait Gallery, in London, and as far afield as New Zealand.

Robert Allvey, current owner of the house, was instrumental in getting planning approval for the blue plaque, which was funded by the ERA and displayed for the first time on on Sunday, September 19.

The ERA had also hoped to create a blue plaque for the 19th century writers Jane and Anna Maria Porter, above the ABC music shop on the High Street, but getting the records needed to prove they lived there was too difficult.

Mr Hills said: "There is a lot of documentation showing they lived there. I've seen letters from them, but they only say High Street Esher on them, with no house names or number, but contemporaneous evidence is needed.

"Prior to 1840, there were no rate books and, in addition to this, women weren't recorded at all."

However, Mr Hills said the ERA had not given up on getting the plaque installed to honour the Porter sisters.

Other historical figures who could potentially be commemorated include Lady Byron, wife of the poet Lord Byron, who lived in Moore Place, and her daughter Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, who lived in Sandown House.

Would you like to nominate a historical figure in Esher, Cobham, Walton, Weybridge or Molesey for a blue plaque?

Let us know in the comments section below.