The anticipated plight of Cressing Temple is an insult to the country’s war dead, according to a group of amateur historians.

Jobs are at risk at the attraction after Essex County Council (ECC) announced plans to slash its opening hours, with the visitor centre and tearoom earmarked for closure on week days, except during school holidays.

Elphin Watkin, a member of Essex Society for Archaeology and History, claims the proposals are an insult given the fact the site’s resurgence in the 1980s was largely down to funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund - a fund set up to save at risk heritage sites in memorial to those who have given their lives for the UK.

Braintree Royal British Legion (RBL) chairman Bert Hayward, a veteran of the Korean War, agreed.

The 80-year-old, of Jersey Way, Braintree, said: “As I say to the children, if it wasn’t for these people who lost their lives we’d be speaking German now.

“We should remember these people but sadly a lot of these councils don’t, so what chance have we got?”

An ECC spokesman said: "We are committed to ensuring the historic and much loved Cressing Temple Barns, its grounds and buildings are maintained and protected for future generations.

"It is necessary to review opening hours, staffing levels and visitor demand for the facilities, however the site will of course remain open to the public, and in the main will formalise the way we have worked for a considerable number of years."