A CHEPSTOW potter is putting the finishing touches to a plaque he is making in honour of Alfie – the Chepstow cat.

Ned Heywood, who has been throwing and glazing pots, bowls and plaques at his Lower Church Street studio for over 30 years, offered to make a plaque for free for Alfie after the cat died aged 19.

The plaque, inscribed with the words ‘Alfie’s Corner’ will be placed on Steep Street, where the cat was a regular fixture.

Alfi had more than 3,700 ‘likes’ and over 600 tributes on a facebook page dedicated to him and set up by his owner Caroline Gammon’s children.

Ms Gammon said many people had called for a tribute to Alfie and that she was overwhelmed by the generous offer from Mr Heywood, who is also a councillor for the ward.

He said: “Alfie was known and loved by many people. I was more than happy to make a plaque in his name and hope it will be finished by the end of the week.”

Mr Haywood and his colleague Julia Land have made and placed hundreds of commemorative round blue plaques for listed buildings across England since 2004. One such example is mounted on a house where Lenin lived in London’s Tavistock Square.

They are currently putting the finishing touches to four rectangular plaques commissioned by the City of London.

He said: “There are about 160 rectangular plaques in London and 20 of those are ours.”

“Plaques have been made since the 1900 but we have been making them for around six years.”

“The process of making plaques is complicated and difficult.

We are given the wording but I design them using computer software.”

“The process involves firing clay in the electric kiln to 1285 degree Centigrade and they usually take about four weeks to complete.”

Among the famous names to feature on his work are William Shakespeare, John Milton, Kenneth Williams and Mary Norton.

In Chepstow, his work includes a colourful plaque in the ground near the Bandstand to mark the Round Wales Coastal Path.

His latest plaques are dedicated to the scientist Robert Hooke, the former site of the Faraday building, the site of St Mary Axe Church and Thanet House and due to be unveiled next month.