AN online petition to save Swindon Mechanics’ Institute has collected more than 1,500 signatures in only three days.

Founder of Save Swindon’s Heritage, Sally Hawson, launched the petition after watching a video published on TheSecretVault YouTube channel showing the building partly destroyed from the inside.

The Institute, which was built between 1853 and 1855, has been derelict for years.

She added: “The building is in a very dangerous position. Urban explorers who explored the institute highlighted the problem by showing how easy it is to get into the building.

“I wasn’t prepared to see the disgusting aspect of the building. The building is Grade II - listed so it’s a pretty big deal and the owner could be prosecuted if we prove that he is breaking the law. I can’t just sit down and do nothing I’m fed up of all the mess around. The petition will make sure that the footage is seen.”

Sally wants the borough council to take back the building and prevent it from collapsing. “This building is part of our identity and it would be terrible if it comes to disappear. Young people haven’t even got a chance to see the inside of the building. The council should step up and protect it.

“They don’t have to restore it themselves, there are a lot of people with creativity that’d be happy to save the building. I just want the borough council to take possession of the building.”

The owner of the Mechanics, who changed his name from Matthew Singh of Forefront Estates to Sarabjit Singh Dhanao, was sued by the council in 2011 over the money owed to repair the building.

At that time, he owed more than £350,000 to the authority for the work done to the institute.

Dale Heenan, cabinet member for the town centre, told the Advertiser: “The latest petition on the Mechanics is a welcome show of public support for the restoration of the building. The current owner has shamefully left it in a derelict state, but I am determined to find a solution.

“I have met with Historic England, the Mechanics Institution Trust and council officers but I do not wish to get peoples’ hopes up just yet. The building is currently in private ownership and the council simply does not have the resources to take on the responsibility.

“The petition organisers are aware that compulsory purchase is not feasible. It is a slow and expensive process and the current owner could be left rubbing his hands with glee. “But the authority was committed to working with Historic England through the Heritage Action Zone to find a sustainable solution.

“This will involve communications with the existing owner,” he said.