THE loss of historic buildings which shaped the character of Essex has been lamented by many people.

Much of Southend's Victorian heritage was destroyed ruthlessly in the Sixties and Seventies, beginning with the ornate Hotel Victoria at Victoria Circus.

Rayleigh was also hit badly by the development blitz, and a number of buildings dating back hundreds of years were swept away by bulldozers.

From this destruction, concern began to grow among campaigners who wanted to make sure some historic buildings could be saved.

The battle to protect the heritage of Southend and the surrounding areas is the reason for the existence of one of the town's lesser- known charities.

The Southend Building Preservation Trust is a charitable trust whose work is largely funded by the Architectural Heritage Trust, a group which helps fund regeneration schemes in the UK. Almost completed is the refurbishment of three old cottages in West Street, Rochford, which had been acquired from the previous owner by Rochford District Council under compulsory purchase powers.

Chairman Andrew Labbett said: "This has been a fascinating project. It has been remarkable because of the different finds we have uncovered and the ages of some of them.

"We are still working on the completion of one of the properties in Rochford, as this has turned out to be older than originally thought, dating back to the early Tudor period."

Other successful projects completed in Southend itself include cottages by St Mary's Church in East Street, Prittlewell, Mulberry Cottages in Billet Lane, Leigh, and cottages at Parsons Corner, Shoebury.

In the case of the cottages in Shoebury, it was not just a case of restoring the buildings using materials close to the original.

The cottages were physically moved from one site to another.

That meant taking them down brick by brick and then restoring them.

Mr Labbett added: "It is specialist work and we need to use highly skilled craftsmen for all the work we carry out."

However, there have been disappointments along the way.

The trust was negotiating to acquire fire-damaged buildings near the Golden Lion, in Victoria Avenue, which were then demolished after being deemed unsafe.

Mr Labbett admitted: "We believed we were about to agree to buy the property when it was pulled down, which was a great pity."

The trust is now discussing the possibility of purchasing 121 Ness Road, in Shoebury, from the council. It is also a fire-damaged property, and was originally part of the garrison.

Mr Labbett said: "We would like to work on what is a historic building in Shoebury." However, at the moment, the trust's main focus is on a former shop in Maldon High Street, which has been derelict for more than a decade, having last been used as a travel agent.

Mr Labbett added: "It may seem strange we are involved in a project in Maldon when there are buildings in and around Southend.

"However, this is a fascinating project, working on one of the older buildings in this part of Maldon, and we hope it reveals some secrets about the past.

"It is certainly an important site and a major challenge for the future."

Mr Labbett says there have been many frustrations over the years, and admits it is depressing historic buildings are still being lost.

He added: "One only has to look at St Erkenwalds Church, in Southend, just a few years ago, to realise how easy it can be for something of importance to the town to disappear even now, when there is supposed to be more concern over conservation."