A HISTORIC building in Harwich that is set to mark its 350th birthday could be in line for restoration works.

Talks are taking place with Historic England in a bid to get repairs for the Treadwheel Crane.

A survey will need to be carried out by specialists to investig ate the condition of the structure.

The Treadwheel Crane, which celebrates its 350th birthday this year, is believed to be one of only two cranes of its type left in existence.

Tendring Council, which is responsible for the building on Harwich Green, met with a representative of Historic England last week as well as Colin Farnell, chairman of the Harwich Society.

Mr Far nell said: “The Treadwheel Crane is an incredibly important historic structure and it is certainly in need of restorative maintenance.

“I am very pleased the council has brought in Historic England to see it and that they are going to work together to find out exactly what needs to be done.”

The meeting was organised by Tendring Council with the aim of Historic England helping to pre pare a repairs schedule.

The Harwich Society will lead on any bid for funding repairs through bodies providing grants.

Carlo Guglielmi, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “We really are talking about the first steps at this stage and identifying exactly what needs to be done and wh en and we have Historic England on board to help us.

“This is an important part of Harwich – and the country’s history – and we want to get these investig ations and the survey underway as soon as possible.”

The crane cost £392 to build in 1667 and served the town’s docks for 260 years before it was moved to its present position in 1930.