A plaque to commemorate the life of former Ashby doctor Mark Baker was unveiled in Market Street last weekend.

The blue plate was revealed by Dr Baker's daughter, Lindsay Entwistle, who used to live in Huntingdon House which is now occupied the Elite Tuition Group.

Lindsay worked with Elite and the building's owner, Mick Warren, to make sure that the doctor's bravery was remembered forever.

Dr Baker died in 1955 as he attempted to help two men who had already been overcome by fumes in a well near Ticknall.

The same thing happened to the doctor when he also became trapped in the well.

It was a tragedy that hit the town hard - and a large crowd gathered outside the Elite offices on Saturday afternoon for the unveiling ceremony.

The occasion touched many people - and even some who had been delivered as babies by Dr Baker were able to attend.

Lindsay, who made a speech before the unveiling, said it was a proud day, and the culmination of two years' work after a chance meeting with Mick.

She told Ashby Nub News: "I met Mick after going to visit my father's grave in Ashby Cemetery.

Lindsay read out a speech before the plaque was unveiled

"At that stage, I told him I used to live here, and I had a quick look round. I told him where the various rooms were - I could say where my bedroom used to be.

"I couldn't believe what Mick had done with the building, I remember my mum had terrible trouble selling it. We moved to Derby after that, but it wasn't sold on as a surgery.

"It was an incredible house to grow up in, but very cold and draughty."

Lindsay was keen to know what happened to the original plaque when Ashby Cottage Hospital was closed down.

She added: "Mick was interested in that plaque and a seat which was in the hospital.

"But we couldn't find it, so we came up with the idea of a blue plaque, we felt we should be doing something.

"I'd been slightly upset in seeing a book about heroes from Ashby - and he wasn't even mentioned.

"But we arranged a coffee morning a while back for people who remembered my father, and we had a lovely time.

"On Saturday though, a lot of people came to the unveiling which was great to see.

"But that morning, I'd been up to the cemetery, and someone came by and said: "He was my doctor', just a chance meeting. I was incredibly proud of the ceremony."

Members of Dr Baker's family also attended the ceremony

Dr Baker even had a model train built at the rear of the house, where a large garden once was.

Lindsay added: "I still have one of those train engines."

Rebecca Lewis from Elite worked with her colleague Carolyn Stevens to make sure the plaque ceremony was a memorable one.

She said: "We facilitated the plaque and Carolyn did a lot of work behind the scenes.

"I was surprised so many people turned up, we expected perhaps 25, but there were a lot more than that.

"Lindsay also said it was an emotional occasion for her daughters who never got to meet Mark.

A large crowd gathered in Market Street for the event

"But we feel a house like this needs to come alive and remember its history.

"This is also something we wanted to do because we want to be part of the community.

Mick helped to fund the plaque dedicated to Dr Baker and explained his role in the event.

He said: "Nobody knew where the original plaque was, so we talked about replacing it, it seemed the obvious thing to do.

"I have a huge interest in this building, but I don't want it to end up like the Royal Hotel, which is why I'm keen to work with Rebecca from Elite to make sure it continues as it is."