A £104,000 cash injection is set to secure the future of a south Essex landmark which formed the backdrop for the film Batman Returns.

Coalhouse Fort, which formed a part of the BBC's Restoration series, looks set to receive the cash to save its main gateway from crumbling to the ground.

A recent study by English Heritage suggested the gateway is in need of emergency repair and indicated that if it was not done immediately the whole fort would be in danger of becoming structually unstable.

English Heritage said it is likely to put £52,000 towards the project.

The Coalhouse Fort Project, responsible for the day-to-day running of the East Tilbury fort, raised £26,000, most of which came from money they received for allowing the movie, Batman Returns, to be filmed there.

But the project still needed a further £26,000 to get the restoration plans off the ground until Thurrock Council came to the fort's aid and agreed to hand over the outstanding sum.

The council's donation was agreed at Thurrock Council's cabinet meeting as leading councillors expressed their determination to preserve the borough's rich heritage.

Published Friday, December 2, 2005