BLUE plaques could be put on historic buildings in Malvern explaining their connection with famous figures from the past.

The Civic Society has devised a list of places it considers worthy of plaques and is in talks with the district council about the scheme.

The plaques could be in place on 14 buildings by September and a leaflet explaining their significance should be available from the Tourist Information Centre in Spring 2006.

Roger Sutton, chairman of the Civic Society's planning sub-committee, said: "It would be quite a useful tourist boost for Malvern and something the council could put on its website."

Buildings under consideration include Aldwyn Towers, where the future American president F D Roosevelt stayed as a boy, and Malvern House, home to playwright George Bernard Shaw.

Montreal House, where naturalist Charles Darwin stayed, and the West Malvern home of Peter Mark Roget, author of Roget's Thesaurus, are among other contenders.

The Civic Society will meet with district council conservation officer David Piggott to discuss the scheme on Monday, June 20.

It is likely the society will suggest suitable buildings and the council put up the plaques, expected to cost around £150 each.

Planning permission will be needed before plaques can be placed on a listed building. The owner of the building must also give their consent.

Local historians Pamela Hurle and Cora Weaver have already advised which buildings might be suitable and will help ensure the historical information is accurate.

Mr Sutton said other local towns might take up the scheme if it was a success in Malvern.