A BATTLE to halt the proposed sale of an historic £1.5million building in Wanstead has moved up a gear.

Police are considering selling their premises in Spratt Hall Road to developers, who would turn it into flats.

The Force has said it would replace it with a new shop in the High Street.

But Christchurch Green Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Deborah Selner said everyone she had approached wanted the station to stay put.

She added: "I couldn't believe the response we had, so hopefully we can do something about it. People are so positive as they love the police in Wanstead.

"All of the shops have been fantastic and have collected lots of names. Also we had people going around the Nightingale and Duke pubs and even the Tube station."

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) wants to sell the building as part of an overhaul of stations which would see just a single patrol base left in the borough.

Ms Selner said: "According to the asset management document, they will not close the station if the public are against it so I don't think they have a chance now that the strength of feeling has been shown."

Snaresbrook ward Councillor Sue Nolan hailed the petition as a vindication of campaigners' objections.

She added: "It's a tremendous effort and an indication of the strength of feeling. To move to a shopfront they will have to find a suitable location and even then pay a substantial amount to renovate it and rent for ten years - more than it would take to upgrade the current station."

As the Guardian went to press Chief Superintendent Dave Grant was meeting with Redbridge conservation team to discuss the possible renovation of Wanstead Police station.

He said: "The only thing I care about is that my officers have the best facilities to do their job by either upgrading existing police station or moving to new premises.

"The performance we achieved last year has been phenomenal and I don't want there to be any reason for that to drop because of bad access to computers or equipment.

"The Metropolitan Police Authority have always said if public opinion was against the closure then it wouldn't go ahead and I'm happy to pass on representations to them."