SPY author Ian Fleming's bond with Lancaster look set to be recognised with the town's first official blue plaque.

Blue plaques have so far been restricted to the cities of London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Portsmouth.

Smaller towns and cities including Lancaster have had to rely on ad-hoc arrangements, organised by local councils.

But the scheme, which marks the birthplaces and former homes of noted historical figures, is now being extended by organisers English Heritage, with the encouragement of the Government.

Secretary of state for culture, Chris Smith said: "It's a very good way of fostering local civic pride.

"It's good for tourism and it's good for education."

And the James Bond author -- full name Ian Lancaster Fleming -- could have a plaque placed in the city. Although he spent most of his time living in London and Jamaica, Fleming was born in the city which gave him his middle name, in 1908.

Born the son of a Conservative MP.

He joined the Secret Service during the Second World War.

He also worked as a journalist before turning his hand to the art of the spy novel.

His first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1954, by which time Fleming had moved to the Caribbean island of Jamaica, where he died ten years later.

The new blue plaques are likely to be introduced nationwide from next year.