A DICKENS heritage centre could be built in the house where the famous author lived in Higham.

Charles Dickens lived in Gad's Hill School for 14 years, until his death in 1870.

Headteacher David Craggs says he is keen for it to be turned into a major tourist attraction.

He hopes to apply to the council in the new year to convert the existing building and build a new school nearby, to house 240 pupils.

Council officers say the centre would help "boost Gravesham's tourism" but there are planning issues as the site is on green belt land and the access to the school is dangerous.

Mr Craggs said: "Our school is a lovely building but is being eroded because there have been pupils here since 1924.

"There is a beautiful staircase which was painted by Charles Dickens' daughter and has stencilled artwork. But because it is being used very day, some of the panels have been knocked off."

He added: "It has been wonderful to use the building as a school but it is time it was used as a heritage centre to educate people about Dickens."

Gravesham Council's Councillor John Loughlin says it will examine both the green belt and the access isssues and see if they can be overcome.

December 19, 2001 16:00