They may be commemorated with special plaques but to many they are a city's forgotten heroes.

Now a group of enthusiasts want to bring together all the stories of Brighton and Hove's great and good in a new guide to historic plaques.

The Regency Society is appealing for help to compile a list of memorials, featuring the English Heritage blue plaques as well as those put up by groups and individuals.

The booklet would include details such as who the plaque commemorates, its location and when and by who it was unveiled.

Eileen Hollingdale, a member of the Regency Society committee, said: "No one seems to have a complete list of all the plaques in the city, which is quite a shame.

"They are part of our history. We plan to make as complete a list as possible. We're already finding there are ones which have disappeared and others which were proposed and never made.

"We're also going back into the history of how they were put up in the first place."

Miss Hollingdale said she would like to see all plaques made readable by either repairing or moving them.

She said: "Some of the plaques have a fascinating history. The first was erected in Hanover Crescent for Sir Roland Hill, who established the Penny Post.

"It was financed by postal workers, the Rotary Club and the Brighton Corporation in 1923. These first plaques were called memorial tablets and cost just £3."

Today it costs about £1,500 to erect a plaque.

Brighton and Hove City Council lists 60 plaques in Brighton and 28 in Hove but Miss Hollingdale believed there were more than 100 across the city.

It is hoped to complete the booklet by May next year.

For details on the plaques, call Miss Hollingdale on 01444 450910.