HERITAGE leaders are pushing to make much more of Worcester's rich history as they seek sponsorship and suggestions for people and places to be honoured with blue plaques with a particular focus on the city's unsung women.

Worcester Civic Society is seeking to build on the momentum of a successful project to mark the locations of the city's medieval gates.

Last year also saw the unveiling of the

Presidents' plaque at the Whitehouse Hotel in Foregate Street which marked (as near as possible) where two future US presidents met.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents of the United States of America, both saw Worcester as the wellspring of liberty and democracy.

One of those who will celebrated with a new blue plaque will be Thomas Tomkins who lived from 1572 to 1656, a composer, organist and master of choristers at Worcester Cathedral.

He lived at College Green No 2/3 between 1596 and 1627 and No 9 College Green between 1627 and 1654.

The suggestion is that the plaque go on number 9, now leased to the King's School and used as the headmaster's house.

The hope is that the plaque, already sponsored by Worcester Cathedral, can be unveiled during the Three Choirs Festival this summer.

Each plaque costs between £200 and £300 to produce, depending on the number of words.

Civic society chairman Phil Douce said he wanted to see more women commemorated on the plaques.

The only women so far represented with a plaque is Alice Ottley despite the number of notable women from the city.

Suggestions for those to honour include city-born Hannah Snell, famous for disguising herself as a man to become a soldier in the eighteenth century.

Sheila Scott, also born in Worcester, broke more than 100 aviation records though her long-distance flights, including her 34,000 mile world-and-a-half flight in 1971.

Mr Douce said: "Please don't hold back with your suggestions. Anyone is welcome to make a suggestion."

Places of note which could be graced with the informative plaques include Lychgate and Marl House, last home of Sir Edward Elgar in the city's Rainbow Hill.

The aim is that heritage maps will be produced in a joint project between Worcester Civic Society and the University of Worcester.

These will feature important historic locations in the city such as Greyfriars, Tudor House and the Cathedral as well as the locations of blue plaques and gate plaques.

If you have suggestions for blue plaques contact Phil Douce by email at phildouce68@gmail.com or by calling him on 01905 352438.