Art lovers and schoolchildren gathered at Ivy Lane Primary School in Chippenham for the unveiling of a blue plaque in honour of a former teacher and renowned etcher.

Barley Roscoe, of the Antiques Roadshow's team of experts, unveiled the plaque commemorating the life of Robin Tanner in front of the whole school last Wednesday.

Chippenham Civic Society secretary Roger Backway said: “We have been keen to commemorate Robin Tanner’s lifelong association with the Chippenham area, particularly with Ivy Lane School, and a blue plaque at the school seemed the ideal way of marking this.

"We are very grateful to the school and Barley Roscoe for their enthusiastic support."

Mr Tanner was born in Bristol, but spent most of his life in the Chippenham area.

He attended Chippenham Grammar school and after attending Goldsmith’s College in London he taught at Ivy Lane School from 1929 to 1935, going on to become an HM Inspector of Schools and outstanding educationalist.

Mr Backway said: "He was an inspirational teacher at the school and encouraged his young pupils to produce painting and murals of such high quality that it was difficult to believe they were the work of young children.

"This tradition has been handed down to current pupils who treated the guests to a tour of the school to view the impressive rang of art works that the schoolchildren have produced over the past few years."

The plaque was paid for by the Civic Society, who have erected a number of blue plaques around the town to celebrate other buildings of interest.

"This is the first new one for a number of years, but we hope to position more in the near future," Mr Backway said.

Members of the public are invited to suggest possible sites by email to chippenhamcivicsociety@yahoo.co.uk.