A veteran showbiz journalist who counts Paul McCartney and the late Freddie Mercury among his pals wants to move Maidstone Carriage Museum to a new glass gallery.

David Wigg said: "It is one of the finest collections of historic carriages in Britain yet no one can see it. It's such a shame."

The bulk of the 60 carriages, which range from Queen Victoria’s State Landau to antique sedan chairs and Victorian ‘growlers’, were bequeathed to the town by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt Drake who lived at Cobtree Manor and was the town's greatest benefactor. He was mayor 12 times.

Now Mr Wigg – a trustee of The Cobtree Charity Trust and a friend of the late Queen frontman, Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles, Rod Stewart and movie stars Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Joan Collins – says it's time the carriages were more accessible.

They are currently kept in the 14th century Tythe Barn stables in Mill Street opposite the Archbishop's Palace.

There are no windows for the public to look at the carriages, which include one on loan from the Queen and one from the Victoria and Albert Museum. The sturdy wooden door remains locked with a note saying the museum is closed.

Mr Wigg proposes a new purpose-built glass gallery at Cobtree Manor Park, Aylesford. He said: "It's rather sad these historic exhibits are hidden away in this building which has no windows which means the public cannot even see them from the outside.

"I feel they should be better showcased. It would be great if they could be displayed in a specially built glass building at the Cobtree Manor Park, which Sir Garrard also left to the town.

"People could view them through the glass and perhaps more easily go inside to inspect them. They would be a tremendous attraction to the park. The present museum is locked. The public must make an appointment to visit it."

He added: "Sir Garrard was so proud of the collection and wanted it displayed so Maidstone people could appreciate these fine examples of craftsmanship, some of which go right back to Queen Victoria's days. He travelled all over the place to find them.

"At one point Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, even thought of exhibiting them as an attraction at his Althorp home."

He added: "I just hope Maidstone council appreciates what it has. These carriages are so ancient and rare. It's important they are carefully looked after. They are certainly not being shown to their best advantage."

He said the museum was on a "terribly busy junction" giving motorists little time to stop and visit.

He added: "It is far from an ideal situation. Maidstone doesn't have much of its history left. Every effort should be made to better showcase these rare examples of craftsmanship. I'm sure many of the public don't even know what treasures are housed in that dark building."

A sub-committee led by the Trust's chairman Sandra Knatchbull visited the museum recently to discuss the exhibits with Victoria Barlow, the director of Maidstone Museum. Cllr Patrik (corr) Garten was present and is understood to be in favour of a move.

It is believed the council might already have long-term plans of its own to move the carriages across the road to the abandoned former Robins and Day Peugeot car showroom which is awaiting redevelopment.

The Cobtree Charity Trust was founded by Sir Garrard, who ran his own private zoo, and his wife Lady Edna Tyrwhitt Drake to help the people of Maidstone. It still financially supports many organisations and individual charities.

Sir Garrard began collecting carriages when he realised the horse-drawn vehicles of his childhood were being forced off the road by new-fangled cars. The museum was the first of its kind in Britain when it opened in 1946 and was visited by Princess Elizabeth. It is still viewed as one of the finest in Europe.

Since May last year it has only been open to pre-booked groups of 10 or more.

A spokeswoman for Maidstone council said a report is to be submitted to the council's economic, regeneration and leisure committee.

She said: "There have been various options raised and opinions given as to where to keep and display the carriages currently housed at the Maidstone Carriage Museum. Each option needs to be considered and weighed against the potential damage to the carriages should they be moved and, of course, the costs involved."

She added: "No decision can be made until a feasibility study and cost/benefit exercise has been undertaken. Clearly the welfare of the carriages is paramount in any decision made."

See inside Maidstone Carriage Museum here.