THE gold-encrusted treasures from the tomb of the Prittlewell Prince may soon have a final home in Southend’s landmark Kursaal.

The new Labour, Independent and Lib Dem coalition, is set to look into the possibility of acquiring the leasehold of the building for a permanent home for the artefacts found in the Anglo-Saxon burial ground in Priory Crescent in 2003.

The artefacts, which are on display at the Central Museum in Victoria Avenue, were set to be the main attraction at a new £55million museum to be built on Southend seafront cliffs.

However, the scheme was suddenly dropped last year over rising costs.

With the future of the listed building in doubt after the bowling alley and leisure area of the Kursaal closed for the third time this year, ways of preserving its future have been mulled over

Ron Woodley, new deputy leader of the coalition, believes the Kursaal would be a fitting place for the royal remains and a tribute to former Echo editor, Jim Worsdale who died this year, who was the first to suggest it.

Mr Woodley said: “We’re looking at where we are in terms of the lease and the freehold. I think it would make a perfect museum for the iconic artefacts. It was first suggested some years ago by Jim Worsdale. It would be a nice legacy and memorial to him.

“We’re going to see what we can do to take it forward and we have to look at the cash situation but it would be far cheaper than the cliff museum. It would add to the seafront experience. ”

Kevin Robinson, Labour councillor responsible for business, culture and tourism, said: “The iconic nature and position of the Kursaal on the seafront, and its current situation, means it is understandably the subject of speculation and discussion. We believe that any intended use for the Kursaal must ensure it remains in the leisure and culture field.

“Some are suggesting that it could potentially become a site for a new museum. the new joint administration is aware of this and are interested to explore the viability of such an idea.”