The historic magistrates' court building in Sittingbourne could be protected from demolition.

An application has been submitted to English Heritage to make the former courthouse in Park Road a listed building.

It has been empty since it shut on May 28 last year following a consultation by the Ministry of Justice to close 157 courts nationally.

Worried about its future, Peter Morgan, the founder of Sittingbourne Heritage Museum, suggested the idea to Michael Peters, a member of the Kent Historic Buildings Committee.

The application was then sent in by the secretary of the committee, Graham Horner, on behalf of CPRE Protect Kent in January. Mr Morgan said: "The building is unique and there are concerns it could be demolished or turned into social housing flats.

"There was even a suggestion a TV chef might turn it in to a restaurant. I don't know who.

"What I'm hoping is they (the Ministry of Justice) will see the error of their ways, and that having people travel to Maidstone or Medway to attend court is a waste of resources and it would be best to make it a court for justice once again."

The building started life as a police station with a small court inside it in 1866.

It is believed to be one of 14 built for the new constabularies in Kent and one of only two which remain intact.

The premises ceased being a police station in the 1960s but continued to be used as a courthouse until last year.

The application to English Heritage says: "The Sittingbourne courthouse and police station is the most intact remaining example of a type of building once found throughout Kent.

"We therefore believe there is a strong case for its listing.

"There is currently nothing to prevent its demolition or radical change for commercial use."

Jones Lang LaSalle, which is marketing the premises, was hoping to put up sale boards last month but the sale was put on hold due to the application.

Mr Horner said: "We hope to hear in May or June if the application is successful."