What tremendous news that the British Engineerium is to be saved - all who care about our local history and heritage owe Mike Holland a big thank you.

It would have been criminal to have allowed this wonderful old building and its fascinating contents to have gone to waste.

Dr Minns and the volunteers there have done a sterling job in keeping the Engineerium going but now they need support on a much broader community level.

It astonishes me the local and national authorities seem to have done nothing for a facility with such massive potential.

The other sad fact is so many people I know have said how they always meant to go to the Engineerium one day but didn't.

Indeed, it was only on the last open day I guiltily took my family there. Seeing the pump in action, the buildings and grounds, it was obvious something unique was being lost.

I can only hope some fresh life is put into this venue to turn it into the attraction it should be.

Better marketing and promotion will entice prospective visitors and properly position the Engineerium as an interesting place to visit on a repeat basis.

With the right backing and input the museum has an opportunity to develop and diversify. At the very least, perhaps it could reflect local industrial history?

Having survived by the skin of its teeth, why not consider developing more in the way of side attractions and educational (even fun) facilities for children?

With a bit of imagination and effort some first-class facilities have been developed around the country in this respect.

Look at the success of venues such as Enginuity at Ironbridge and Techniquest at Cardiff.

Something like this would be a fantastic addition to the South Coast tourist scene.

For now, though, let's remember to use it or lose it.

-Simon Pardoe, Southwick