It is the place where notorious criminals such as Reggie Kray and the so-called 'Lotto lout' Michael Carroll spent their time behind bars.

And now, the new owner of Blundeston Prison is appealing for former guards to come forward to help charities organise their own open days at the site, near Lowestoft, so they can show people what life was really like inside.

Blundeston resident Stephen George, managing director of Badger Building, said the company had hoped to organise open days to show people inside the 24-acre jail after buying it from the Ministry of Justice for £3m.

But he has been so inundated with requests that it has become difficult to satisfy everyone's curiosity.

'People are just inquisitive as to why it closed and what does a prison look like,' he explained. However, he is now offering to hand over they keys to charitable organisations to organise their own open days – provided former guards and prison officers can be found to facilitate the events and show people round.

Mr George hopes that will be of greater benefit to the charities holding the events, as the ex-prison staff are the ones with the knowledge about the building and some of its most famous stories.

'I just know what buildings there are,' he explained. 'There are the more modern cells and the original 1963 cells which are a bit dour. I think they will realise the facilities the 1963 cells provided and why it was closed.'

Mr George is also asking organisations which hold events to donate 10pc of their takings on the day to him, so he can donate the money to Parkinson's Disease charities which are close to his heart.

What development would you like to see take place on the former Blundeston Prison site? Email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk, giving your full contact details.