Internationally famous singer Kathleen Ferrier began her professional career in Aspatria 80 years ago.

This week that historic performance was marked with a blue plaque erected at St Kentigern's Church where she sang as part of the church's harvest festival.

It was one of 47 new blue plaques announced by The British Plaque Trust on BBC Music Day earlier this year to commemorate people who have influenced the musical landscape across the country.

She was nominated by Peter McCabe from North Yorkshire who was in Aspatria with members of Kathleen's family and of the Kathleen Ferrier Society.

Kath Hopcroft was only four when her godmother died "but I have her name and I remember being brought to see her when she visited. She was warm friendly and a bundle of fun."

David Heather was 12 when Kathleen, his mother's cousin, died.

"I did not want all the blue plaques to go to pop singers and Kathleen Ferrier deserved this recognition."

"She was very funny. I wasn't allowed to listen to some of her more smutty jokes! She was warm, funny and completely down to earth. There were never any airs and graces despite her considerable fame."


. Kathleen Ferrier lived in Silloth and started attracting attention after winning a singing contest at the Carlisle festival of 1937.

Kathleen Ferrier died of cancer at the age of 41. She told nobody of the disease and kept performing until it was no longer possible. In one of her last performances she was supported by other cast members when her femur simply disintergrated.

When she died in 1952 a columnist wrote that her death had overshadowed the Coronation and described her as the most famous woman in Britain after the Queen.

This is the third blue plaque honouring Kathleen Ferrier. The other two are at the house where she was born near Preston and one at her London home.