Reading officials have stepped up their campaign to save Reading Gaol.

Labour MP Matt Rodda for Reading East will be meeting with the UK Government and the prisons minister later today to discuss the option of artist ‘Banksy’ supporting the bid to save the gaol.

Banksy originally offered £10 million to help save this important historic building and create an arts centre and hub for local creative groups.

He said in a recent Twitter update: “Reading Gaol is a massive piece of our heritage. I’m stepping up my campaign to save the gaol and turn it into an arts hub.

“Reading Gaol is one of our most important historic buildings and I’m very proud of the campaign that residents, local arts groups, Reading council and myself have been running to save the gaol and turn it into an arts and heritage hub.

“This would be an enormous step forward for our community and I’m very committed to this campaign."

The Reading Chronicle previously backed a bid by Reading East MP Matt Rodda to turn the jail into an art hub.

The Ministry of Justice has been attempting to sell the prison, but developer Artisan Real Estate pulled out of plans to buy the prison last year.

Reading Borough Council bid £2.6m in 2020 to turn the site into a heritage centre and arts hub with a cafe and housing, but the plan was rejected.