Concerns have been raised over the future of a Norwich printing museum amid plans to demolish its home.

Norwich Evening News: The John Jarrold Printing Museum in Norwich Byline: Sonya DuncanThe John Jarrold Printing Museum in Norwich Byline: Sonya Duncan (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

A bid was submitted to build 218 new houses, apartments, offices and a hotel on the former Jarrold printworks site in Barrack Street in September.

It would see an annex to St James Mill demolished - the home of the John Jarrold Printing Museum.

Created in 1982, the museum reflects on Jarrold's time as a printer and publisher in the 19th and 20th centuries.

It contains letterpress and lithography items among many others, and is home to what is believed to be the only surviving example of a Ratcliff direct lithographic press.

But fears have been raised over what will happen to the museum's items when the building is demolished, with concerns shared by the Association of European Printing Museums and the Norwich Society, the city's civic watchdog.

But a spokesperson for the Jarrold Group said no decisions had been made and that they recognised its important place in Norwich's history.

MORE: Bid for 200 new homes on former Jarrold's site in Norwich

'We can confirm the redevelopment plans will affect the current museum site,' they said.

'We are in discussion will all parties on how best to ensure the history and heritage held within the museum is best conserved and displayed in the future.'

A Facebook group, called Save The John Jarrold Printing Museum, urging people to have their say on the plans was set up earlier this week, and had been joined by 40 people by Friday afternoon.

Some posted to say that with Norwich being England's first UNESCO City of Literature, it was an important part of our heritage.

On Facebook, the Norwich Society said: 'The building occupied by the John Jarrold Printing Museum is due to be demolished as part of the riverside development adjacent to St James's Mill. But what will happen to the collections which enable people to study and be inspired by the history of printing? We trust they will be found a suitable replacement home.'

The museum is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesdays.

More information on the application can be found by visiting Norwich City Council's planning website and searching for reference number 18/01286/F.