A teenager has launched a campaign to raise more than a £1m and save a Surbiton landmark from becoming flats.

Kyle Stanger, 18, has set himself the mammoth task of getting together the £1.2m needed to buy the TDV Building known as the ‘birthplace of the Mini Cooper’ in Hollyfield Road.

The garage has planning permission to be turned into flats but if successful Mr Stanger will turn the space into an education centre and community garage with a Cooper Cafe, where people can learn about car history and study for automotive qualifications.

Mr Stanger said: "I just think it would be a real shame if this piece of mini Cooper and racing history was destroyed and forgotten.

"It can’t be turned into flats. The fact we have this piece of motor sport history on our doorstep is amazing.

"It’s almost magical to think that formula 1 legends were using the A3 to test cars long before test tracks were even invented."

The garage was set up by Formula 1 legend Sir Jack Brabham, who died last year.

Sir Brabham won two world titles with Cooper in 1959 and 1960.

The vacant garage, which was used by the Metropolitan Police after the world-beating Cooper team left the area, is currently used as storage space.

Cooper fans from around the world have been posting pictures of their Mini’s on the "Save the Home of the Mini Cooper" set up by Mr Stranger. The page has received more than 3,000 likes in just a week.

But he will need a lot more support than that if he is to realise his dream.

A Kickstarter campaign set up to raise the funds has so far brought in £187.

Surrey Comet:

And with just 54 days to go until the campaign closes, Mr Stranger needs to raise £22, 219 every single day to reach the target.

Mr Stanger said: "Obviously it’s a lot of money. Me and my father are trying to save a piece of motorsport history.

"The significance this building has is monumental to motorsport, classic cars and to every modified Mini around the world.

"It's the birth place of the Mini Cooper. My old man has been in the automotive industry since he was 14-years-old and has taught automotive engineering and science for 24 years.

"We are drawing up some plans and trying to get everyone that we can possibly think of behind this project."

To donate to the ‘Save the Home of the Mini’ campaign visit https://goo.gl/BF146P

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