Remembering Hitch

Up until now there has been little to distinguish the Jet petrol station which stands unceremoniously at 517 Leyton High Road in Leytonstone.

From next week, however, a commemorative plaque will mark the place out as famous - if not notorious - for being the birthplace of Alfred Hitchcock.

The garage stands on the site of the house where the legendary film director was born 93 years ago. The plaque is being paid for by Waltham Forest council which is keen to highlight the area's unlikely Hollywood connections.

Hitchcock is already remembered near by. A hotel and pub bearing his name stands a few yards from the site of the new blue plaque.

That will be unveiled next week by Barry Foster, the actor who appeared in Hitchock's Frenzy and was a friend of his. Plans are already under way locally for a full week of celebrations to mark the film genius's centenary in 1999.

(Photograph omitted)