Visitors to Tenby will soon be able to pick up more information on the history of the town just by walking around.

Twelve new plaques will be erected on buildings in the town in the New Year, commemorating visits by famous people and other interesting historical facts.

The plaques have been commissioned by Tenby 2020, and the manufacture of them has come at the end of two years' research and debate, getting the necessary approvals and raising the money.

Marion Davies, the town guide, has chaired a small working group that has included Val Coates-Rees, John Beynon, the present curator of Tenby Museum, and the previous incumbent, John Tipton.

The biggest source of funding for the project was SPARC, who have given £1,000 under their Community Pride Initiative. This is part of the European Community's Objective 5b ERDF programme, with other contributors including the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Tenby Civic Society and Tenby 2020.

The Beatrix Potter Society contributed to the cost of the plaque commemorating her visit early last century to a house on The Croft and the George Eliot Fellowship contributed to the cost of the plaque marking her visit to a house in Bridge Street.

Several of the property owners have also contributed to the cost of the project, including Mrs. Joyce Maudsley, Mr. and Mrs. Wall, Mr. and Mrs. Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Lesley Fisher, Mr. Charles Birt and Mr. James, of the Atlantic Hotel.

The plaques were made for Tenby 2020 by Hayne-West, of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Each plaque contains a unique emblem that was moulded by hand before casting in metal. The painted finish was also done by hand.

The plaques will be erected around the town on January 5 by builder Jim Halstead.

Speaking on behalf of Tenby 2020 at a special reception in the Mayor's Parlour to view the plaques on Tuesday, Marion Davies said that they would make a wonderful addition to the historic town.

"We are grateful to all those who contributed, without whom the project would not have been possible, including, among others, Tenby 2020's environment and heritage group, 2020 chairman Mr. Mike Thorne, SPARC, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Pembrokeshire County Council, CADW, The Walled Town Friendship Circle, Tenby Sailing Club, Jo Bowles, of Blooms, Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, and Tenby Town Council, and staff and trustees of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

"I also want to express our gratitude to all those enthusiastic supporters who helped us decide on which plaques we should do, where they should go and the wording they should contain.

"I hope people will be pleased with the end result."