A RARE 17th century bronze mortar will be the star attraction at the newly renovated Tolsey Museum in Burford when it opens for the new season tomorrow.

Museum chairman Chris Walker decided to purchase the Burford-made mortar for the museum when it came up for auction recently.

It was made by Burford bell-founder Edward Neale, who cast it in 1659 for Francis Keble, a wealthy cloth merchant, whose shop was in the High Street opposite the museum where it will go on show.

Our top stories

The mortar came up for sale with Bonham’s auctioneers as part of the collection of Roger Rosewell, the former owner of Yelford Manor near Witney.

Mr Walker made an appeal for funds to buy the mortar in December.

The cash was raised with help from residents and local businesses. Support came also from the Burford and District Society, the Burford Festival Committee and the Falkland Hall Trust, which raised the eventual purchase price of £22,100.

Local historian Raymond Moody marked the opening of the refurbished museum at a special event last night before it opens to the public.