MALVERN Museum has launched an appeal to raise £80,000 to save its historic building.

The mediaeval Priory Gateway in Abbey Road is one of the jewels in Malvern’s crown, regularly photographed by tourists from all over the world.

But the ancient building, dating back to the 15th century, is suffering from the ravages of time and work urgently needs to be done.

The museum will be launching its appeal as part of the national heritage open days weekend on Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9.

Gill Butler of the museum said: “Unfortunately our mediaeval gem is showing signs of wear and needs some tender care. It has buckled windows, eroded stone, rusting iron, crumbling mortar and a roof in need of repair.”

Among the work that needs to be carried out is replacing and restoring crumbling stonework, renewing flashing on the roof, retiling and inspecting roof timbers, improving storm drainage, and replacing rendering and cement mortar.

Because of the building's historic nature, much of the work must be done by hand using traditional materials, which pushes up the cost. During the heritage weekend, the museum will be open from 10.30am to 5.30pm on both days. Staff will be on hand to show visitors what work needs to be done, and even lend them binoculars so they can take a close look, and encourage them to make donations to the appeal fund.

Mrs Butler said: “We've got a committee that’s putting together a programme of fund-raising events, and we hope to be able to give more details very soon.” One event will be an exhibition of glass lantern slides showing photographs of Malvern and the surrounding villages, many of them never exhibited before in public.

The Gateway used to be open to traffic until a lorry became wedged in the archway in 1980, shifting the building on its foundations. Shortly afterwards, the road through the building was pedestrianised.