The artist who illustrated Oor Wullie and The Broons has been honoured with a commemorative plaque.

Dudley D Watkins is one of 12 historic figures to be chosen in the first year of the Commemorative Plaque Scheme for Scotland.

The scheme aims to celebrate the life and achievements of significant historic figures, through the erection of a plaque on their home or the building that was particularly synonymous with their achievements.

Others chosen this year include television pioneer John Logie Baird, engineer James Watt and the artist Francis Cadell.

The nominations were submitted by the public and the final 12 chosen by an independent panel of experts.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "The Commemorative Plaque Scheme highlights the range of incredible creativity shown by the talented people in Scotland, celebrating individuals such as Dudley D Watkins, illustrator for DC Thomson whose illustrations of well-loved characters from Oor Wullie and The Broons still bring humour and joy into our lives.

"It also commemorates historic figures who have made a significant contribution to Scotland and the world including television pioneer John Logie Baird, steam pioneer James Watt, Scottish colourist Cadell and Archibald Findlay, Fife potato geneticist who produced the first blight-resistant potato, making the food safe from disease."

The first year of the plaque scheme is celebrating the Year of Creative Scotland.

Dudley D Watkins drew Oor Wullie and The Broons for The Sunday Post from 1936 until his death in 1969.

He also illustrated characters such as Lord Snooty for The Beano and Desperate Dan for The Dandy.

He was nominated by Frank Boyle, the cartoonist for the Edinburgh Evening News.

He said: "I was delighted to nominate Dudley D Watkins for a commemorative plaque. I absorbed his cartoon strips as a child and he had a big influence on my own work.

"I went to art college in Dundee and I started my career at DC Thomson, so it was good to return to the city to see the plaque unveiled. I hope it helps to give Dudley D Watkins the respect he deserves and to increase the prestige of cartooning as an art form."

The others to be honoured with plaques are Gaelic poet Donnchadh Ban Mac an t-Saoir, Louis Dickson, the Bo'ness cinematographer and film pioneer, Adam Christie, a sculptor and artist from Shetland, and Louisa Stevenson and Christian Guthrie Wright - founders of Queen Margaret College and Edinburgh School of Cookery.

Norman McLaren, the Stirling-born experimental filmmaker and electronic music pioneer, Francis (Fra) Newber, head of the Glasgow School of Art from 1885 to 1918, and Hamish MacCunn, a composer, have also been chosen.