A PLAQUE has been installed on the former head office of a world-renowned Dursley engineering firm.

Organised by Dursley Town Council to provide permanent recognition of the links between R A Lister and the town, the plaque was unveiled on Saturday with the help of two members of the Lister family.

It has been installed on the Priory at the bottom of Long Street - the former headquarters of the company and one of the few remaining physical links between the town and R A Lister.

Founded in 1867 by Sir Robert Ashton Lister, the company up until 2014 had been a mainstay of Dursley and its biggest employer.

Generations of workers helped develop the world-famous Lister engines which had been made in the town for more than 100 years.

To mark 150 years since its foundation, last year members of Dursley Town Council agreed to fund a plaque to mark the business’ contribution to the town.

On Saturday, about 100 people, including former employees of the company, gathered at the bottom of Long Street, joined by several members of the Lister family to unveil the piece which has been placed on the wall of the Priory.

Speaking beforehand, mayor Neil Grecian said: “The Lister family moved to Dursley from the north of the country when Dursley was suffering from the end of the cotton industry.

“Starting with agricultural equipment, the business took off when it won the deal to make Mikael Pedersen’s creamer.

“In fact the business’ early work was recognised by the town council when it created the design of the mayor’s emblem which features sheep shears.

“Its closure in 2014 was sad for the whole town and as a council we wanted to do something to ensure that there is something permanent in the town for it to be remembered by.”

Work to create the plaque was spearheaded by Cllr Jan Burdge in collaboration with the Dursley and Cam Society to mark 150 years since R A Lister was founded.

Although it no longer has any links to Dursley, Lister Petter still produces engines in Hardwicke.