A unique and fondly-remembered water fountain that was once a favourite feature of Bracknell town centre has been found dumped in storage – leading to calls for it to be restored to its former glory.

After stumbling upon the former fountain, finder Neil Vaughn said he hoped restoring it would “bring some cheer” to Bracknell residents.

But Bracknell Forest Council, which owns the feature, says it’s no longer in working order – and there are no immediate plans to bring it back.

The unique water feature – a kugel fountain – featured a large marble ball that span frictionlessly on a sheet of pressurised water pumped into a hollow pedestal beneath it.

It stood outside The Bull pub for years until it was removed during Bracknell town centre’s regeneration. At the time, it had been suggested that the ball would one day be restored.

And former councillor Marc Brunel-Walker, then in charge of regeneration, said in 2017 that he hoped it could be brought back to the town centre as a much-loved feature.

But it wasn’t heard of again until Mr Vaughan spotted it gathering dust in a service yard in Bracknell town centre – just metres from its former home.

Mr Vaughan said more than 1,000 people liked and shared his photo after he posted his find to the We Love Bracknell Facebook page, with many sharing fond memories and wishes for its reinstatement.

He said: “It’s looking a bit forlorn and dusty but how long it’s been in there I don’t know. Whether it’s been in that same place all that time I’m not sure.

“It’s a nice throwback to people’s youth. It was one of those things you couldn’t keep your hands off – especially as a child.”

READ MORE: What happened to the millions the council promised for The Deck?

Now Mr Vaughan plans to write to Bracknell Forest Council asking for the ball to be 'restored to its former glory'. But the council suggested that might not be so straightforward – although it didn’t rule out bringing it back in the future.

In a statement Andrew Hunter, executive director of place planning and regeneration at Bracknell Forest said: “The council still owns the floating ball fountain, which is in storage. However, it is currently not in working condition.

“There are no immediate plans to restore and reinstall the fountain. However, we will continually review this as other parts of the town centre are regenerated.”

The council added that restoration could cost around £25,000, not including annual maintenance costs.

Mr Vaughan said: “I said in my letter that it may not warrant such a prominent location nowadays. But there has got to be somewhere people can get enjoyment out of it.

“Bracknell was built for families and I think that should continue. I’ve chosen to stay here as I think it’s a good place to raise children. The fountain is something I‘d like my children to enjoy.”