RESIDENTS are being asked to have their say on shaping Basildon’s first cultural centre – and a museum is currently the frontrunner.

Chase, which stands for Cultural Heritage for All South Essex, is a campaign group that champions the arts.

It has taken on the task of compiling the public’s views over what should go inside the new centre and now need residents to fill in an online survey so they can present its findings.

Out of just 20 responses so far, all want to see a Basildon museum, full of artefacts from the area.

Susan Randle, secretary of Chase, said: “Everyone seems in favour of having a museum and they definitely want a facility for our amateur theatre groups.

“Everyone also wants to see our town’s own arteacts, some of which are ancient.

“They are all over the place and we would like to get them back.

“We have got to give people in Basildon some pride. Who is to say Julius Caesar didn’t come here.”

Chase formed two years ago after residents expressed fears over the future of arts provision.

The information gathered by the group could be included in any future development plans.

Mrs Randle, 68, of Sparrows Herne, Basildon, added: “We are desperate for arts provision in this town.”