RAYLEIGH could soon have its own town museum.

Local historian, founder of Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass and chairman of the Rayleigh Town Museum Working Party, Mike Davies, has found a suitable building for his project.

Mr Davies, Rayleigh citizen of the year, has been searching for years to find a suitable home for his archives of Rayleigh artefacts and now hopes to have found the perfect spot.

He has submitted a planning application to Rochford District Council for the first floor of 91-93 Rayleigh High Street above Yours clothing shop and now awaits the planning officers’ decision.

Mr Davies said: “This is the oldest secular building in Rayleigh High Street and is a Grade II listed building within the conservation area.

“The location and building is ideal for a Town Museum, and the owner has agreed to install a fully accessible passenger lift, before we take possession of the building on a long lease. We have a long way to go, with planning permission required, as well as a need for a Heritage Lottery Grant that we are in the process of applying for, but all the signs are good.”