By Alastair Jamieson, Staff writer, NBC NewsLONDON – London’s legendary blue plaques -- historical markers commemorating the lives of eminent figures -- face an uncertain future because of austerity cuts at England’s official heritage agency.
More than 850 ceramic signs honor key people who lived in the U.K. capital, and their contribution to human history.(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130109-world-historicalmarkers-dickens.380;380;7;70;0.jpg)Toby Melville / Reuters (file)One of London's 869 blue historical markers.But the program -- almost 150 years old and believed to be the first of its kind in the world -- now faces a “very uncertain future,” according its lead administrator at English Heritage.
“These are extremely difficult times for English Heritage and for the scheme,” wrote Emily Cole in a letter made public earlier this month (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9783797/Blue-plaque-scheme-under-threat-due-to-cuts.html).
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