Postman Pat has become a permanent piece of Kendal history as the post office which inspired the character's creator was officially recognised.

John Cunliffe, creator of the rural postie, unveiled a pillar box red plaque outside the old Beast Banks Post Office which is just yards from his former home in Greenside where he wrote the children's tales.

The author, who told the crowd he was honoured to be recognised in such a way, said: "When I sat in the little back bedroom at number 32 thinking up and putting ideas together for Postman Pat, if you told me this event was going to happen today I'd be so amazed I probably wouldn't be able to write it."

After thanking Kendal Civic Society, who instigated the permanent memorial, he added: "I feel honoured that the Kendal Civic Society has recognised my work in this way. I love the Lake District and Kendal has done me proud."

Postman Pat and his black and white cat were conceived at Mr Cunliffe's Greenside cottage in the late 1970s while he was working as a teacher at Castle Park School.

After being prompted by a pupil's parent, the author hooked up with the BBC and penned the Postman Pat tales and, as he said, "the rest is history."

As he prepared to sign books for an excited group of fans from Ghyllside Primary School, ten-year-old Laura Spencely confirmed she had become the envy of classmates as she was one of 20 picked to meet Pat's maker.

"People were a bit jealous," she said. "But I've always liked Postman Pat. I've got loads of videos and I read the books when I was younger."

Stephen Appleby, chairman of Kendal Civic Society, said: "This is the 50th plaque the society has put up in the town which makes it rather special. We usually put plaques on building to commemorate history or a particular person but we are not averse to modern popularities such as Postman Pat. Why shouldn't we commemorate a name that's given so much pleasure to children."

Beast Banks Post Office, which closed in June last year to the dismay of many regulars, was run by the Mayor of Kendal Coun Marilyn Molloy and her husband Mike who still live there.

"It's unusual for a mayor to unveil a plaque on her own home," said Coun Molloy. "But it's wonderful to have a permanent reminder of Postman Pat."