COLCHESTER’S Archaeological Trust has abandoned publicly backed plans to buy the site of the starting gates of Colchester’s Roman circus.

In February, a campaign backed by the Colchester Gazette raised £250,000 from residents who wanted to help buy the former sergeants mess and retain the starting gates, found underneath the garden, under public ownership.

The trust has admitted defeat in plans to find private backers to buy part of the 19th century building and raise the remaining capital, after the one couple who came forward pulled out.

While campaign group Destination Colchester plan to resurrect a new appeal to save the mess, the archaeological trust has initiated Plan B.

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