A HERITAGE campaigner is hoping to save an iconic metal pineapple fountain which has stood outside the former Ford headquarters in Basildon for 35 years.

Vin Harrop, director of the Foundation of Essex Arts, is worried about the future of the fountain, which was sculpted by William Mitchell using Corten metal.

The artist is best-known for the famous Egyptian room and staircase at Harrods in London.

The fountain, which stands outside Trafford House, near the corner with Cherry Down East in the town centre, is set to be demolished when developers transform the site into homes unless a new home is found for it.

Developer Collonade recently bought the site from Ford, who officially moved out in January bringing an end to the motoring giant’s stay in the town, which dates back to the Seventies.

Mr Harrop said he hopes funding can be found to relocate the fountain somewhere in the town centre.

He said he became anxious about the fountain years ago, when rumours Ford might relocate first emerged.

He said: “Ford always assured me when a new owner emerged at Trafford House they would make sure our Foundation would be informed.

“So we now seek a future location for this important piece of public art, one that has been part of our urban landscape for the past 35 years.”

However, Mr Harrop said raising the necessary funds to relocate the fountain was proving difficult.

He said: “The Foundation does not have the funds for this either, but we do want to see it installed in the town centre.

“We will be arranging to meet the council and Collonade about this fountain in the very near future.”

Kevin Blake, councillor in charge of art and leisure said the council would not pay to relocate the statue.

He said: “We can’t help with the costs as the statue does not belong to the council.

“We can’t take on more public art, it will cost a lot of money to move and relocate it. There just isn’t the money.”

But Alastair Watson, the chief executive of Collonade Group, may be offering a ray of hope.

He said: “Whether it’s moving it, donating it, or something else, and we will be happy to help with costs.”