A last-ditch effort has been launched to save a historic military stable block from being demolished by developers - after a bid to have it listed failed.

The building, which is now the last surviving link between horses and the Shorncliffe Garrison in Folkestone, is earmarked to be flattened by Taylor Wimpey.

During the First World War, Shorncliffe was home to the Canadian Army Veterinary Corp, which cared for thousands of wounded and sick horses, with an 80% rate of recuperation.

The stables have been identified by the Shorncliffe Trust charity as a potential location for an exhibition space telling the tale of equine involvement in conflicts.

A second appeal to Historic England to list the building and save it from being torn down was recently made by the Trust - but this has been rejected.

The heritage body says nothing has changed to make it alter its decision to reject listing in 2019.

Now it appears the last hope for saving the stable block is for the charity to raise the money to purchase the building from the developers.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “We have again asked the landowner developer Taylor Wimpey if they would consider selling the stables in order for a community interest company to be set up to preserve these for future generations.

“We are not hopeful, but the question has been asked and we await their response.”

War Horse author Sir Michael Morpurgo is one of those who have thrown their weight behind the last-ditch campaign to save the block.

A long-standing supporter of the Trust, he said: “Without horses to support the war effort in the First World War, the war would have been lost.

“They were vital to supplies, to the ambulance service, to the artillery, to the cavalry, and they died in their hundreds of thousands as the men, the same way too. Machine gun and shellfire, wire, exhaustion and disease.

“Shorncliffe contributed hugely to the war effort, providing veterinary attention and care alleviating the suffering.

“It is a place that played a significant part in the story of the First World War, and that is a story that must be told in all its aspects and passed onto the next generation.”

The Shorncliffe Trust was set up in 2006 with the aim of preserving and developing features of historic interest at the base, which is widely considered to be the birthplace of the modern British Army.

A housing development of around 1,200 new homes is being built on the former military land by Taylor Wimpey, but a number of buildings and features of historical interest have already been protected as part of the scheme.

These include the Sir John Moore Library and the gates on Royal Military Avenue.

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “Following their review, we have received notification from Historic England that they will not be listing the stable block at Shorncliffe Garrison.

"We are currently considering the request we have received from the Shorncliffe Trust and will respond to them in due course.”