South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss, inset, has joined the fight to save a former station masters house on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

Thetford & Brandon Times: The Brandon signal box is set to be demolished by Network Rail. Picture: Rebecca MurphyThe Brandon signal box is set to be demolished by Network Rail. Picture: Rebecca Murphy (Image: Archant)

Greater Anglia announced its plans to knock down the Brandon building earlier this year with the demolition expected to take place before the Autumn.

It has stood in the town centre for more than 100 years and appeared in Dad's Army, which was filmed in the area.

Residents have been challenging Greater Anglia to stop the demolition due to the heritage of the building and the fact its built out of flint stones which had been mined in Brandon since the medieval period.

The demolition is part of an expansion plan for the station which will see the car park increase to 95 spaces with ticket machines and five disabled access bays.

Thetford & Brandon Times: South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss. Picture: PASouth West Norfolk MP Liz Truss. Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: "Work is due to start this autumn and be completed by the end of the year.

"We are investing more than £1m in this project and once the work has been completed, car parking charges will be introduced."

Town councillor Victor Lukaniuk has welcomed the work.

He said: "It is a private enterprise that needs to generate income but what is generated will be invested back into the railway.

"Brandon is expanding and the train station will become an important asset to commuters."

Campaigners are appealing to train operators Greater Anglia who have recently invested £196,000 from a Railway Heritage Trust grant into Thetford train station and Attleborough train station.

In letter to the Ms Truss, Stuart Wright said: "If there is some way that this building can be saved thereby preserving an important part of the area's heritage for future generations.

"Other places seem to be able to preserve their historical sense of place whereas poor old Breckland seems to lose out in this respect.

"Thetford station recently received a Railway Heritage grant and it would seem Brandon ought to have the same."

A spokesman for Ms Truss said: "Elizabeth has raised your concerns directly with the chief executive of Greater Anglia and asked that action to demolish the building is put on hold.

"Elizabeth is keen to ensure local community input is fully considered."