A campaign to put a derelict community pavilion to good use has been supported by Braintree’s MP.

Campaigners initially celebrated after trustees of the pavilion, in Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground, withdrew a planning application for it to be demolished in October.

But the group has now set its sights on renovating the pavilion, which was donated as a sports facility by William Julien Courtauld in 1927.

Campaigner Aidan Kelly met with Braintree MP James Cleverly, trustee Julien Courtauld and Sinead Yates from Talk Listen Care.

He said: “We are trying to get the trustees to come forward and work together to build something on the site or to renovate what is there.

“We had a break over Christmas and we are trying to get things moving again.

“It was designed originally as a sports facility for the community, but it would not be just that, it would be a multi-use community facility.

“Lots of promises have been made but nothing has happened, we have not moved since the planning application was withdrawn.”

The pavilion is equipped with changing rooms, showers, a kitchen and a small meeting room.

It has been unused for about ten years and is fronted by boarding, which is home to drug paraphernalia and graffiti.

Braintree MP James Cleverly said: “I think it was a successful meeting, the big thing they want to get across was how passionate they are about keeping the local heritage and such a significant local building in use.

“They are not just about keeping it standing, but about keeping it a genuinely useful amenity for the community.

“I am very supportive of any campaign which protects our local heritage and history and makes it relevant for the 21st century.”