The fate of the Cardall Collection, which comprises more than 2,500 objects amassed by resident Jack Cardall, looks bleak.

After his death in 1976, it was added to and maintained by his wife Irene.

But she died last June and the treasure trove of pieces ranging from cannonballs to First World War rifles will become homeless once her house is sold.

The Friends of the Cardall Collection are hoping to create a museum for the historical artefacts and are writing to businesses asking for help.

Chairman Bernard Cadogan said: “We are hoping a business will have somewhere we can keep and maintain the items, or alternatively pledge some money towards renting a building.

“So far we have pledges totalling £1,000 from members and if we can secure similar donations from businesses and residents, we will be able to preserve it for future generations. If we don’t it will be lost.”

Coun Nigel Rock (Lib Dem, Stockton and Napton) is backing the drive to find the collection a new home.

At a meeting of Stratford District Council’s scrutiny committee last week, he suggested millions of pounds earmarked to improve Stratford should be used.

He said: “We have been told over the last 18 months that, although focused on Stratford as a brand, the funding would ripple out to the rest of the district, so it not just the 20 per cent of the population that live in Stratford who benefit.

“This collection is of great importance to the history of Southam and we should do all we can to keep it in the town - using some of this money could be a way of doing that.”

But the district council’s head of community services Robert Walsh said he believed the funding had already been allocated for specific projects.

He added: “We have been working closely with the Friends of the Cardall Collection for more than two months to provide them with all the help we can.”

l To help the Friends, call Mr Cadogan on 613503 or visit www.southamonline.co.uk

Donations can be sent to Mr GB Cadogan, 41 Vicarage Lane, Harbury, Leamington, CV33 9HB. Cheques should be made payable to the Friends of the Cardall Collection.