A MUSEUM to showcase the treasures of Southend’s Saxon king has been named as a high priority for a Government cash injection.

The landmark museum, to be built into the cliffs landslip on Southend seafront, has been ranked in the top three regeneration projects in south Essex set to be funded by Thames Gateway cash.

It follows a review of 41 projects earmarked for funding between 2008 and 2011, after ministers realised the budget for the same period would not fund all the schemes.

The Basildon A127 corridor scheme, including the new Basildon sign and improvements to road links is the number one on the priority list and about £15million has already been awarded for the project.

Canvey’s town centre revamp is second and the Saxon king museum in Southend is third.

John Lamb, Southend Tory councillor responsible for enterprise, tourism and regeneration, said: “I believe we should get the funding for the Saxon King museum so it can move forward.

“We are very pleased about this as it’s an important part of the town's history.”

The Saxon find, discovered near Priory Park, in Prittlewell, in 2003, represents one of the most significant archeological discoveries of recent years.

It is being stored at the Museum of London until the cliffs museum is complete.

Southend Council has appointed consultants to draw up the plan for the new building.

It will house artefacts from the burial and also provide space for other museums, including the Beecroft and Southend Central Museum, in Victoria Avenue.

Both of these will be sold off to help pay for the new museum.

Other projects earmarked to receive Thames Gateway funding was the newly-opened Southend Airport training facility, run by Prospects College in partnership with several airport-based businesses, and regeneration work on Southend Pier.

These two projects have been given medium priority in the new rankings, based on their deliverability and how they fit into the overall regeneration plans.

Mr Lamb said: “The funding has been agreed for the airport.

“It will help us to give people appropriate training and offer apprenticeships to help young people.

“We are still waiting to hear about the money for the pier. We are not stopping work as we are working on it right now, but getting more funding will help move it forward so we can achieve even more.”

Hopes are high that the future of the projects will be confirmed soon.

Mr Lamb said: “We should hear very quickly either way, as the money will be earmarked before the end of financial year.

“This means we can reprofile our regeneration work so we can make sure the money is being used.

“We can put it to good use to fully develop the seaward end of the pier.”