English Heritage asks public to help find missing blue plaques

The very first commemorative blue plaque was awarded in 1867, in honour of the poet Lord Byron at his house and birthplace in Holles Street, near Cavendish Square in London.

- Nadia Khomami

But the plaque - the first in a long, prestigious tradition of recognising some of the most influential figures in history was lost when the house was demolished in 1889. A new plaque didn't last much longer than the first, and today, the site is occupied by the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis.

Now, English Heritage is calling on the public to help locate those two plaques and dozens of others which the charity says have gone missing owing to war damage, demolition or during building refurbishments.