OVER £31,500 has been raised to repair the vandalised Avoncroft museum in Stoke Prior.

Taking to Facebook, the museum thanked its supporters, applauding Bromsgrove's generosity in a time of need.

A spokesperson for Avoncroft said: "We have now had over 1000 donations via our website, totalling over £31,500, since the news broke about the extensive vandal attack on May 1. This is an incredible amount - thank you all so much for your support - I'm sorry we won't be able to respond to everyone individually but we value every single donation, it really means a lot to us.

"We will be working through all donations over £100 to acknowledge - but please be aware this will take some time as there are not many of us here!

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Vandals smashed ornaments last Saturday. Vandals smashed ornaments last Saturday.

"Equally moving are the hundreds of offers of help, whether with brush and broom or by offering glass, repairs or other services. We are feeling very loved and upheld by our local community - thank you all.

"Thankfully, everything has been boarded up and weather-proofed (in time for today's hailstorms!), so immediate physical help is not needed. We will be working through the list of offers and contacting those we most need in due course.

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"We are not going to rush to reglaze all the buildings - some need specialist glass and we will need to source this first. We are considering temporary plain glazing to ensure the site looks its best for the summer - but we're not going to let a few boarded windows get in the way of opening the outdoors for the rest of May - so we will be open this weekend 8-9 May - please come and support us in person (make sure you pre-book your tickets online)!!

"There will be a painstaking process to identify the items destroyed in the two cottages. We will then look at options for re-dressing the cottages, depending on what part of their story and history we want to display. We'll look at our own existing collections first, but will appeal for any specific items that you might be able to help with.

"We are being supported by West Mercia Police with increased officer and dog patrols, and advice on increasing security across the site.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Thanks to donations and community support the museum is hoping to reopen this weekend and every weekend in May.Thanks to donations and community support the museum is hoping to reopen this weekend and every weekend in May.

"Proper security is of course costly, but thanks to your donations we want to make sure we do a proper job. Most of our buildings were threatened with demolition at some point in their past - they were rescued and given a new home here. Now it's our job to protect them and keep telling the stories of the people who lived in them for generations to come.

"Thanks again for all your help and support!"

The Stoke Heath museum had only just reopened after months of closure due to lockdown when vandals caused significant damage to its buildings, forcing it to close again on May 1.

Vandals smashed windows and damaged the interiors of Toll House and Nailers Cottage, with plates and ornaments broken.

To book tickets for May 8 and 9 visit the Avoncroft Museum website.