A BLUE plaque for writer Edgar Allan Poe has ‘mysteriously disappeared’ from Irvine.

Council chiefs say they are 'looking into this' after it was pointed out that there was no blue plaque in the town.

We reported last week that Poe, who lived in Irvine as a youngster, would join other authors on a new interpretive board in the town centre as part of the regeneration of the High Street.

North Ayrshire Council claimed that a blue plaque was already proudly on display, insisting it was behind the fruit stall in the Rivergate Shopping Centre at the site of his former home.

But after the Times told them there was no plaque, North Ayrshire Council say they went to look for themselves and say it has 'vanished'.

A series of plaques were erected for Heritage Trails between 2013 and 2016 by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.

However the existence of any plaque marking the master of the macabre's time in the town was missed out by some.

Irvine history buff Billy Kerr told the Times: “I live directly behind the fruit stall in Rivergate and have never seen a plaque for Poe.

“That’s not to say North Ayrshire Council didn’t install one there, it may well have been removed shortly after being installed by a trophy hunter...which goes to prove Poe’s popularity.

“It is correct that the fruit stall location is approximately where Poe stayed in an Allan-owned property that once stood there. I’m pleased that NAC are planning to reinstate the plaque soon, at least it’s something.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that the plaque is no longer there and are looking into this.

“If necessary, we will look to replace the plaque when we are putting up others in North Ayrshire later in the year.

“In the meantime, the online information on Edgar Allan Poe that forms part of the North Ayrshire Heritage Trail will remain.”

Do you have the plaque? Call 01294 447502