More than 40 CS Lewis fans gathered for the unveiling of a blue plaque to honour the famous Oxford author.

Committed fans from England and America joined the celebrations at the writer's former home, The Kilns, in Risinghurst.

The plaque was unveiled on Saturday - almost 45 years after the author's death at the house where he wrote the entire Chronicles of Narnia series, which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.

It was hoped that Lord Attenborough, who directed Shadowlands - based on Lewis's life - would unveil the plaque, but he had to pull out after falling at home and injuring his ribs.

Guests at the unveiling included the president of the Californian-based CS Lewis Foundation, Stan Mattson, as well as Walter Hooper, who was Lewis's secretary for a year before the author's death in 1963.

Mr Mattson said: "It was absolutely beautiful. The weather was extraordinary, the garden was a blaze of colour, and all the folk were lovely."

The event coincided with the beginning of a week-long CS Lewis conference in Oxford today and comes a month after the UK cinema release of Prince Caspian.

The plaque will help tourists to identify the house where the author lived for 33 years. It is the 40th put up by the Oxfordshire Blue Plaques Board which has already honoured the author's friend JRR Tolkein, with a marker in Northmoor Road.