Bromley Museum is set to close its doors for the very last time, despite efforts to save it.

Bromley's iconic museum will cease to be located at The Priory on Friday (September 24), after the council provisionally voted to sell the building it's housed in.

Under proposals agreed by the executive in June, the collection will be moved to Central Library in Bromley High Street.

Councillors claim the central location will generate extra footfall for the two permanent exhibitions planned - 'Bromley Revisited' and the John Lubbock collection.

MORE TOP STORIES The Priory - a Grade II* listed structure in Church Hill - is thought to be the borough's oldest building, but could be sold to save the council money.

After an outcry from community groups, a final decision on its fate has been deferred until October.

A petition opposed to the council's plans has around 500 signatures, and another group named STOP (Save The Orpington Priory) has branded selling the building an act of "cultural vandalism".

STOP launched a petition which has collected more than 2,200 signatures, campaigning against the sale.

They are drafting a business plan for alternative uses for the Asset of Community Value, which they are presenting to Councillor Peter Morgan, executive of renewal and recreation, on Thursday  (September 24).

Margot Rohan, from STOP, told News Shopper: "Obviously the council thought they were going to sneak through a report to close the museum and sell The Priory.

"The people of Bromley are quite incensed at the destruction of heritage in the area and the thought of the loss of one of the oldest buildings in the borough.

"I think people have realised the museum, that’s a done deal, but the campaign group has been set up to save the building."

She added the group wanted to work with the council to ensure the heritage of the site was protected for residents.

News Shopper:

Gill Hughes, who set up a previous petition, with Perry Hall Primary School pupils

Their plans will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Phil Waller, of the Orpington History Organisation, said it was "disappointing" Bromley was losing its museum in its 50th year, but added it was positive it was being retained in some form.

He said: "It’s sad that it’s come to this.

"We’ve tried to challenge the decision the council made.

"The museum loses its accreditation; it will become collections.

"To get the museum here in the first place was a significant effort, we won’t get it back."

Coun Morgan said: "Whilst the museum does close its doors on Friday for the last time in Orpington, we will continue with preparations to have exhibition space in the centre of Bromley, in the Central library, which very much continues to showcase Bromley’s heritage."

He estimated it will open mid-2016.

To sign the petition visit: www.thepetitionsite.com