TWO Wirral community groups have expressed a joint interest in acquiring the historic Bidston Observatory site.

Peter Crawford, chairman of the Bidston Observatory Preservation Trust and member of Rock Ferry Community Partnership, told the Globe they are raising finance hoping to buy site.

The land is currently on the market from estate agent Mason Owen, and being touted as a prime target for hotel, leisure and residential development.

Each plot is for sale separately, and includes the Grade II listed Victorian observatory and surrounding land, the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory and the site of the former Braehead Cottages.

Peter Crawford said: "We've been in touch with Mason Owen to express our interest in the site. We believe the observatory is a very important part of Bidston's history. The building can't be turned into flats.

"To secure this building, we could compliment the work that Peel Holdings are doing on the dockland. There is a great need for tourism.

"The Proudman Laboratory was the world centre for tide predictions and a lot of scientific discoveries were made there. It is a major part of Wirral's heritage."