“Shrewsbury has got that personal touch and it is really great.”

His career as a cartoonist for Horrible Histories began more than 20 years ago when the books first hit the shelves. And now he is a little amazed to be planning the 25th anniversary of the mega series, which has sold over 25 million copies of books including The Terrible Tudors, The Beastly Barbarians and The Cut-throat Celts.

“I am really humbled that we are celebrating 25 years of Horrible Histories,” said Martin. “If someone had told me all those years ago that we would be talking about it now, I would have fallen off my chair. It is quite weird to think it is so popular.”

The books, which are all illustrated by Martin, were the brain child of Terry Deary and have led to TV shows and theatre productions. Martin feels a little in awe when he sees his characters on stage or screen. “They are really good at bringing the characters to life,” said Martin.

“It is great to see how they are interpreted. But again, my favourites are the peasants who had to deal with the repercussions of those in power.”

Martin does not just illustrate the Horrible Histories books. Last year he released his own book called Lesser Spotted Animals, in which he tells the tale of those animals, such as the Southern Right Whale Dolphin, which, while not rare, is not that well known. “There are celebrity animals,” said Martin. “The meerkats and tigers who are used in advertising and are always appearing in TV shows. My book is about those animals who are just as beautiful and interesting but about whom little is known.”

Creatures included in his book are the dagger-toothed flower bat and the zorilla – a striped polecat to you and me.