Blue plaque honours 70 killed in hotel during Sheffield Blitz

The plaque marks the biggest loss of life in Sheffield during World War Two

A blue plaque has been unveiled at a former hotel in Sheffield where 70 people were killed during World War Two.

The building on the High Street, now a pawnbroker, was bombed during the Blitz - leading to the city's biggest loss of life during the war.

The Lord Mayor Colin Ross unveiled the memorial on Saturday at 11:30 BST.

Martin Naylor, who raised the funds for the plaque, said it had been "emotional" remembering those who died.

The civilians who were killed on 12 December 1940 were taking shelter in the hotel's cellar when the building was hit by a bomb.

The attack happened during what is known as the Sheffield Blitz, said to be one of the worst few nights of German bombing during World War Two.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield unveiled the plaque on Saturday

The Luftwaffe targeted the city due to it being a major arms supplier for the Allied Forces and it is estimated more than 330 aircraft attacked Sheffield between 12 and 15 December 1940.

Mr Naylor, 68, who gives local history tours of Sheffield, said his interest in the site started when he was researching the street.

He said he was "amazed" to see nothing marking the building's dramatic history so decided to raise the £312 for the plaque himself.

The people who were killed were sheltering in the hotel's cellar

Mr Naylor said: "I did not expect such a response. I was worried the whole episode would simply fade into obscurity.

"I'm really pleased at the turnout.

"I hope this has reunited the community to remember what happened here."

The former hotel on the High Street was destroyed when it was hit by a bomb

Mr Naylor could not secure any funding for the plaque but interest grew and he sorted out all the required paperwork.

A family member of someone who was in the Marples the day before the bombing also attended the event, he said.

Mr Naylor, a retired logistics worker who has lived in Sheffield for most of his life, hopes the plaque will merely be a "starting point" in remembering the city's past.

He added: "Sheffield has an extraordinary history and I would love to see it marked - in the same way that Barnsley and Leeds are."