A man who has spent decades researching the Marlborough Pelham Puppets is concerned that a plaque to mark where the first puppets were made is going to be put up in the wrong place.

Puppet enthusiast Peter Beaven who has spent 30 years collecting information and is on the cusp of publishing a book on Pelham Puppets has said that the historian behind the plaque, David Leech has got the wrong place.

The original puppets made by the late Bob Pelham in the 1940s are now collectors’ pieces, and the town council want to mark where they were first made.

Mr Leech who has been liaising with the town council plans to have the plaque put up in Kingsbury Street. Mr Beaven is adamant that the plaque should be placed on number three.

Mr Beaven said: “Bob Pelham started making push puppets in the back of a solicitor’s office in Silverless Street, Marlborough in 1946. He called them wonky donkeys. The following year Bob set up Wonky Toys Ltd at Victoria House in Kingsbury Street. Unfortunately David Leech claims that Pelham Puppets started at number one to two Kingsbury Street. In fact, the historical evidence states otherwise. Victoria House was most definitely number three Kingsbury Street.

“I have verified this with a number of long-serving Pelham staff, and uncovered paper documents that also confirm this. I am just worried that the facts wont be correct.”

Mr Leech said: “The exact location of where the plaque will be placed has yet to be decided.

"The original number three has been replaced with a new build and even one and two are no longer known as Victoria House. All three premises belong to the town council now. Pelham occupied what is now number two and number three. I had a long, close, association with Mr and Mrs Pelhamand I’m sure if any of the information was not correct, they would have told me. The important thing is that there will be something in place. "