RESIDENTS are being asked to look into the background of former neighbours - in the interests of history.

Amateur historians want to record a town's famous sons and daughters, and trace their roots.

The Middlesbrough Heritage Group has so far placed plaques on the house in Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, where football manager Brian Clough was born, and the Sussex Street presbytery where the Roman Catholic Bishop, Richard Lacy, lived for a time as a priest.

There is a plaque at the Dorman Museum in memory of archaeologist Frank Elgee, while the group has also installed plaques in Borough Road to commemorate local shipping magnate Richard Constantine, and on what was the site of the town's baths in tribute to Olympic swimmer John Hatfield.

Victorian philanthropist William Fallows and musician Cyril Smith have also been remembered with plaques. Amos Hinton, founder of the grocery chain and Middlesbrough's first vicar, the Reverend Isaac Benson, are next to be saluted this summer.

Group chairman Norman Moorsom is urging people to suggest individuals who they deem worthy of being honoured with a plaque - whether living or dead.

"If any names are forthcoming, it would be helpful if readers could link them with specific buildings. Joe Public is very good for ideas," he said.