A new blue plaque was unveiled by the old Swindon Advertiser building on Saturday to commemorate the founder of the paper.

Dozens of people and past workers of the Swindon Advertiser gathered in front of the old newspaper house on Victoria Road in Old Town on Saturday morning for the reveal of Swindon's 11th blue plaque.

One of the people in attendance was South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland who had the honour of unveiling the plaque.

Before unveiling it, he mentioned the importance and impact the Swindon Advertiser has had in the history of Swindon.

"And it's a great honour to reveal this blue plaque today," he said.

Applause was heard as Sir Buckland pulled the rope to reveal the anticipated blue plaque commemorating William Morris, the founder and lifelong editor of the Swindon Advertiser.

Swindon Advertiser: The blue plaque commemorating William Morris, who founded the Swindon Advertiser in 1854 (Photo: DAVE COX)The blue plaque commemorating William Morris, who founded the Swindon Advertiser in 1854 (Photo: DAVE COX)

The long-serving Advertiser journalist, assistant editor Steve Webb, was one of the people watching as the plaque was revealed.

Having worked at the Swindon Advertiser for 34 years, until 2018, he said that it was about time that the memory of the Adver and founder Morris was commemorated

"It's as much part of the town as the football club."

The blue plaque was partially funded by Desmond Morris, 98, the great-grandson of William Morris.

Unfortunately, he lives abroad and was unable to attend the unveiling.

Swindon's Heritage team started the blue plaque scheme in the town in 2016 to "permanently celebrate" the famous people, places and events that have contributed to Swindon's history.

William Morris set up Swindon's first newspaper - which is also believed to be the UK's first penny paper - in 1854.

Morris produced the first four-page-long edition himself, acting as editor, reporter and printer. He then continued as owner and editor for 37 years until his death in 1891.

But Morris was famed for his editorials. In one piece, he "berated" the local gentry for organising a barbecue on the ice at Coate Water and using meat as a football when people were struggling to afford food.

This resulted in effigies of Morris and copies of the paper being burned in the town.

The Swindon Advertiser has come a long way in the 168 years since it started with one employee and a hand press.

Today it is published on the most up-to-date technology available, but its aim is still the same - to serve the people of Swindon.