A group of threatened Second World War air raid shelters might be included in a new heritage list.

The 16 shelters, built by Courtauld family to be used by their factory workers, are on land to the east of the high street which has been earmarked for development.

Savills has confirmed that there are two developers interested in the land, but would not give any more details about them.

The Halstead 21st Century Group, which has been campaigning to protect the shelters and the land they are on, claims that the bids are from housing developers and are concerned that the shelters might be destroyed if plans go ahead.

However, the air raid shelters have now been included on the local heritage list, drawn up by the Braintree and Bocking Civic Society, that is waiting to be accepted by Braintree District Council.

*See full story in this week's Gazette