LITERATURE and movie buffs the world over will today mark 100 years since the birth of Fleming Ian Fleming.

But for one village near Swindon it will be particularly pertinent day.

Because Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, is buried at St James Church in Sevenhampton, Highworth.

Fleming's grave, marked by a stone pillar, is to the left of the church gate, along a well-kept path. It is tended by Jean Collings, who has lived in the village for 32 years.

And over the years she has seen it become a shrine to fans of the writer's works.

"There really is some interest in the grave," said the 74-year-old churchwarden.

"I do get calls from people who want to visit the site. This is mainly from the Americans.

"Last year we had an American coach party who came along and they left a beautiful bouquet of white roses."

Fleming was born into a wealthy family which owned Fleming's Bank and he was educated at Eton.

He had bought the demolished Warneford Place, which was formerly the home of Lord Banbury, in 1960.

He moved in with his wife Ann when building on the new Sevenhampton Place was completed three years later.

The author of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang became vice-president of Swindon Artists' Society and made donations to local clubs and backed his prospective Tory MP Charles Morrison in 1964.

Fleming died of heart failure at the age of 56 in 1964.

His memorial reads: "In Memoriam Ian Fleming B 28 May 1908 D 12 Aug 1964. Omnia perfunctus vitae praemia marces."

Roughly translated it means "you are rotting away now after having had a good life."

He is buried with Ann and his son, Caspar.

Jean said Fleming did not stay in the village that often when he was alive.

"I wasn't living in the village when he was here but I think he spent most of his time in Jamaica," said Jean.

"But I do know his wife would open the gardens twice a year for charity."

She added: "I've seen all the Bond films and they have the wow factor.

"I think each one tries to outdo the last."

To this day Fleming's novels are read the world over and have been translated into dozens of languages.

Fleming wrote 14 James Bond books between 1953 and 1964.

The last two, Octopussy and The Living Daylights, was published posthumously in 1966.

His legacy continued this week as a new James Bond novel, the first in more than 40 years, was unveiled on board HMS Exeter at Tower Bridge in London.

The latest novel Devil May Care, by Sebastian Faulks, centres on Bond during a Cold War adventure.

The 22nd Bond film, Quantum Of Solace, which stars Daniel Craig in his second appearance as British agent 007, is due for release later this year.