SAVE Britain's Heritage has called for a halt to the imminent demolition of the former Leigh Girls’ Grammar School building.

The group has appealed to Wigan's chief executive Joyce Redfern and Leigh MP Andy Burnham to urge the council to think again.

They have joined Save Our School campaigners, led by former teacher Avis Freeman, in their last ditch bid to preserve the school and convert it to a museum.

They claim there is no reason to lose the 88 year-old building.

The Windermere Road school, which became Leigh Central Primary, is due to be bulldozed along with the Sacred Heart Primary when the move to the new adjacent 'super school' is completed.

In a letter to Mrs Redfern the group said: “The foundation of the school, which provided educational facilities solely for women, marked a major step in women’s education in the Wigan area.

“It was designed by the architect Henry Littler who built many public buildings in the North West and was made Lancashire’s County Architect in 1900, Many of his buildings are now listed.

“Although, sadly, and in our view wrongly, the Leigh school remains unprotected by listing or conservation area status. The school is an excellent and distinctive building which, with its surrounding buildings, forms a group of considerable merit. In addition, these buildings are part of Leigh’s rich social inheritance, reflecting the history of the community.

“SAVE remains certain that with some will and even a little imagination, the existing school building could be successfully adapted. There are numerous Victorian and Edwardian schools in Britain which have been converted to achieve this balance. There is no reason for the building to be demolished, furthermore, what perceived obstacles there are, alternative solutions could be found.

“We urge you to put demolition on hold and review this case.”