Cranford's historic Lock-Up, where many a 19th-century ne'erdowell spent the night recovering from an evening's boozing, is one of just two surviving examples in the whole of London.

The brick building, which lies on a grass verge beside Cranford High Street, overlooked by a block of council flats, has been left to decay for so long it now has a tree growing out of its roof.

But now a small band of residents has launched a campaign to save this forgotten reminder of Cranford's village past for future generations.

Linda Helsdon, of Firs Drive, Cranford, claimed restoring the Grade II-listed building would encourage residents to take pride in the area's history. "Lots of people living round here have no idea about the building, which dates back to when Cranford was the prettiest village in Middlesex," said the supply teacher.

Dating from around 1838, the Lock-Up was built to hold unruly youths and drunks overnight before they could be hauled before the magistrates the following morning. It was probably only in use for about 20 years before the Metropolitan Police arrived in the area.

Hounslow historian Andrea Cameron said: "Each parish used to elect its own constable who would have had the authority to lock up mostly youths but also vagrants found to be disorderly.

"If they were sober in the morning they would probably be set free. If it was a repeat offence they would be taken to appear before the magistrates. It would be lovely to open it up so people could see inside during the Open House weekend."