Residents are calling for an historic foundation stone to be saved when construction begins on a £30 million development.

The foundation stone was placed at Braintree bus park to commemorate its opening almost 90 years ago.

Now with the regeneration of Manor Street due to begin in March, residents fear the historic stone will be lost in construction.

Ken Crawley, who used to live in Black Notley, said: “The foundation stone was set in the wall of the brick-built waiting room as part of the original site and has been in situ for nearly 90 years.

“A number of people feel that this foundation stone should be saved from the rubble and preserved as a reminder of this part of the history of the town.

Mr Crawley would like to see the stone removed and placed in Braintree Town Museum.

A number of red bricks at the bus station were also marked by US airmen stationed in Wethersfield as they waited for their bus back to the base.

Mr Crawley said: “We also feel these should be carefully removed and preserved as a tribute to the US airmen who can to the aid of the country in the Second World War.

Carol Rivenburg, from Stansted, whose father was one of the many US airmen to etch their names into the bricks says they are “a part of Braintree’s history”.

She said: “My mother Betty was a Braintree girl who married a US airman in March 1944.

“They met in Braintree bus park and whilst they were there my father Edward – nicknamed Rivets, – etched his name and where he was from – Albany, USA – in one of the bricks.

“I feel these bricks are a part of Braintree’s history and so they should be preserved.

“I think the bricks should be put into Braintree’s museum as it is all part of the history.”

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “We recognise the historical significance of the foundation stone and the engraved bricks in the bus park which is why we have asked for them to be carefully saved when demolition work begins on site.

“We are considering how the bricks might feature as part of the public realm works.

“We are also talking to the museum about the possibility of storing the special items in their collection.”