A horse trough dating from 1892 has been saved from the grounds of the old New Malden police station thanks to some heritage-minded locals.

The 9ft long, one-and-a-half tonne granite trough was taken by crane from its home outside the former police station to the memorial gardens at the United Reform Church last week.

It was a case of community power after former beat bobby Mick Ellis, Malden resident Barbara Webb, now-elected Councillor Mary Clark and Coyne's Builders all chipped in to get the trough moved.

Coyne's lifted the trough free of charge while Mr Ellis, who saved the trough for the community in 1994 by moving it to New Malden, laid the concrete plinth at it's new home at the New Malden High Street church.

Coun Clark said: "I phoned Kathryn Marsh, police business manager at Kingston, saying that I wanted to claim the horse trough for the residents prior to the sale of the police station. She liaised with the Metropolitan Police Property Services and they agreed.

"I approached Reverend Bruce Stuart at the United Reform Church and together with the elders of the church agreed it could be placed in the church's memorial garden for safekeeping."

The trough, donated by the Metropolitan Drinking and Fountain Association, has a cup and chain fitted for human drinking and once had a tray underneath for dogs. It originally stood at the junction of Cavendish Avenue and Malden Road and was moved by Councillor Seaton to his garden in Burberry Avenue, New Malden, so it would not be demolished.

Mr Ellis then reclaimed the trough for the community in 1994 and moved it to the station's memorial gardens. With its future once again secure, there is a mystery that needs solving.

The plaque on the solid granite trough reads "A tribute to ACS 1893". If anybody knows who this person or association is, then please call Mary Clark on 020 8949 3157 or email jsampson@london.newsquest.co.uk.