Campaigners have called for a last-ditch attempt to save an historic cricket pavilion after a family of rare birds that were keeping developers at bay flew their nest.
The Cinderella Ground in Worcester, where W G Grace once played, was due to be demolished earlier this month only for the family of sparrows to make their home in the rafters.
Now a protected species, developers SJS Property Management, who are transforming the old ground and the former Kay's factory site nearby, were forced to put their demolition plans on hold.
The council had hoped to continue its campaign against the demolition of the building, which is located off Bransford Road, St John's, until the sparrows flew the nest - which would normally have been in September.
But the building could now be demolished by developers SJS Property Management as early as today.
Coun David Clark (Con Bedwardine) said the council would make a last-ditch attempt to save the building.
He said: "There was definitely some funny business that went on at the pavilion. Tiles had been removed and there were feathers on the floor. Animals do not remove tiles.
"But a council conservation officer who visited the building last week saw another bird fly out of the roof and he is willing to testify to that.
"We are hoping that the police will block the demolition again after this sighting."
Coun Clark said his offer to buy the property from the developers refused.
He is calling on residents to block the gates leading up to the building today.
The Cinderella Ground has been used by various company works teams since Worcestershire made their move to New Road 107 years ago and was in constant use for sporting events until it was closed in 2005.
W G Grace made his one and only appearance in Worcester at the ground in 1870.
It was also the site for the first appearance in Worcester by an Australian touring team eight years later.
