CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a Victorian school building to be turned into a museum to house military artefacts to showcase Shoebury Garrison’s history.

Community group Friends and Residents of Shoeburyness has urged Southend Council to retain ownership of Hinguar School, in Hinguar Street, when pupils move to a new £6million building in Gunners Park.

Members say the 100-year-old building would be an ideal place for a cultural and heritage centre to display books, photographs and old weapons, currently stored in a shed in the old garrison.

Anne Chalk, who has been spearheading the campaign, proposes that half of the building should also be used for community groups.

Mrs Chalk a member of the group, of High Street, Shoebury, said: “We feel that part of the Hinguar School building could have the artefacts and the other part could be for community use for both young and old residents as well as being a place for some school lessons.

“The main thing for us is to get it somewhere near the garrison. The building is a key part of Shoebury’s history and I know there are concerns about where the artefacts are being stored at the moment.“ Mrs Chalk has collected 300 residents’ signatures for a petition to preserve the building.

Concerns have been raised that the school building could be sold to housing developers.

Mrs Chalk continued: “It is not the kind of building to be developed into flats. I am afraid that the building could be knocked down and turned into flats.

“A lot of the residents I have spoken to want to see this building used as a heritage building with a museum.”

Michael Assenheim, Independent councillor for Shoeburyness, said: “I fully support this and I think we need somewhere in Shoebury to keep the artefacts from the garrison.

“Shoebury is a historical town and it is important that we have this.”

Southend Council has approved plans for the new school, costing about £6.1million.