STEPHEN Fry has backed the Reading Gaol campaign calling for the prison to be turned into an arts and heritage site.

The famous novelist said the campaign would be "perfect" for Reading and "Britain".

The Grade II listed building has been put on the market by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) who intend to sell the site to the highest bidder.

READ ALSO: History of Reading Gaol.

The prison is infamous for its incarceration of playwright Oscar Wilde who, according to the British Library, was found guilty of "acts of gross indecency with other male persons" in 1895.

Fry starred as the playwright in the 1997 film, Wilde, which dealt with Oscar Wilde’s trial and imprisonment in Reading Gaol.

Fry explained "if living art can rise up from the place where Oscar and so many others suffered then how perfect that will be, for Reading, for Britain and for us all".

The Booker Prize winning novelist Julian Barnes has also pledged his support to the campaign, emphasising the symbolic importance of turning a prison into an arts centre.

READ ALSO: Reading gaol hug great success as hundreds hold hands around prison.

He said: "Turning a prison into an arts centre is the equivalent of beating swords into ploughshares.

"I fully support this ambitious and enterprising project."

Reading East MP, Matt Rodda, has been campaigning to see the prison turned into an arts and heritage site for the community.

He explained: "I am absolutely delighted that the campaign to turn Reading Gaol into an arts and heritage site has been recognised by Stephen Fry and Julian Barnes.

"Their support comes at a crucial time for the future of the site.

"Stephen and Julian are always welcome in Reading and I would be pleased to speak to them more about the campaign."

Reading Borough Council submitted a bid to purchase the Reading prison site in December, 2019.