Almost 100 top computer scientists called on Thursday for action to be taken to save Bletchley Park, the code-breaking centre that played a crucial role decrypting German messages during World War Two.

The scientists say Bletchley, a country house 25 miles north of London, is falling into disrepair and will decay further unless it received much needed investment. They want it properly funded and turned into a National Museum of Computing.

"As a nation, we cannot allow this crucial and unique piece of British and world heritage to be neglected in this way," the 97 experts and top university computer academics said in a letter to the Times newspaper.