PLANS have revealed a bid to transform a rundown classic phone box into a home for potentially life-saving equipment.

An application sent to Braintree Council is seeking permission to overhaul a vintage red phone box into a defibrillator unit.

The Grade II listed cast iron phone box, which dates back to King George VI, is located on Swan Side in the centre of Braintree.

Over the decades, the payphone has fallen into disrepair and had been " considerably vandalised."

Now it is hoped the development can give the phone box a new lease of life.

The proposals sent to council planners suggest turning the phone box into a defibrillator kiosk.

This would also include work to the outside of the box to restore it to its prime.

It is hoped the defibrillator could prove vital in saving the life of anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest.

In a statement to Braintree Council, developers said: "The kiosk was originally installed as a public payphone, but has fallen into disuse in recent years.

"Providing a defibrillator in this area improves access to these lifesaving devices by minimising the distance travelled to obtain one.

"Some disabled parking has been provided in Bank Street, making this an ideal location to serve users of these spaces, as well as users of the nearby Sainsbury’s car park.

"Plenty of retail outlets are in this area, making this location ideal where retailers do not have their own equipment readily available.

"Minor changes are proposed to the external appearance. It is proposed to restore the kiosk to its former condition, replace the 'telephone' transom signs around the top with 'defibrillator' in an identical style and paint the crowns in gold.

"The kiosk is listed grade II and is situated in the Braintree conservation area.

"However, it has been vandalised. To minimise any vandalism opportunities, the handle will be replaced with a keycode lock, and the access code can only be obtained by calling the Ambulance Service in order to access the defibrillator within.

"Externally, there is little alteration proposed. The entire kiosk will be repaired and restored as necessary."