THE widow of a popular historian has spoken of her happiness that a plaque will be laid in memory of her late husband.

Local expert Jonathan Catton died, aged 60, in August and Thurrock Council is planning to create a plaque to remember him by and place it at the Thurrock Museum, in Orsett Road, Grays.

Jonathan died of heart-related problems and at his funeral his family raised £1,500, which they are now planning to donate to the British Heart Foundation.

His widow, Linda Catton, 60, of East Tilbury, said Jonathan would have been so pleased to know about he plaque.

She added: “He was passionate about Thurrock and about promoting it.

“He was dedicated to his job.He started as a heritage officer at Thurrock Council and he was a great public speaker.

“He used to go to events and venues as a guest speaker and promote Thurrock and even went abroad to do this.

“He became curator of the museum, but he was not a qualified curator.”

Linda said she used to work for Thurrock Council as a teaching assistant and did so for 35 years.

She said that people used to call the couple Mr and Mrs Thurrock.

Ms Catton added: “When the family found out about the proposed plaque we all thought what a fitting tribute to Jonathan.

“He worked hard to get informative plaques installed across Thurrock at points of specific historic interest.

“He did so much for Thurrock, so to have a plaque, which was something he was so passionate about will be wonderful. We got a letter from the mayor of Thurrock, Cathy Kent, which said about the planned memorial.

“The letter also asked for suggestions about what it would be like and a friends suggested that it could be in the form of a plaque.”

Plans are still under way but it is thought that the plaque could be placed in the new year.