A COMMEMORATIVE plaque celebrating the 19th century architect Augustus Pugin was unveiled last week, at the church he helped design in 1847.

Pugin, who lived between 1812 and 1852, was one of the most famous architects of his era and was influential in the gothic architectural revival, which took place in the early and middle years of the 1800s.

As well as contributing to the design of the Houses of Parliament in 1834, Pugin played an influential role in the design of numerous well-known buildings around the country and, after moving to Salisbury to be with his second wife, he became particularly active in this area.

He designed St Marie's Grange, in Alderbury, as a private property, restored the building which is now the cinema in New Canal, and later played a major role in designing St Osmund's Church, in Exeter Street. And it was at the church that members of Salisbury Civic Society gathered last week to unveil the commemorative plaque and pay tribute to Pugin's architectural influence.

John Elliott, a Civic Society member and former lecturer in art and architectural history at the University of London, gave a speech at the ceremony.

He said: "There is no doubt that Pugin was the single most important English architect of the early-Victorian era and it is only right for him to be commemorated in this way.

"He had a short life and died aged 41, but he had an enormous impact; one much greater than most of us achieve in double the years.

"And, it is particularly fitting that the plaque is here in Salisbury because the city had a huge impact on his life - it was here that he converted to Catholicism and wrote some of his most influential works - and really helped to make him into the Pugin we remember today."

After Mr Elliott's speech, the plaque was formerly unveiled by society president Lord Congleton.