CASH conscious Stourbridge Glass Museum has launched a nationwide appeal for people to donate any unwanted glass items to help raise much needed funds.

The museum, which is both owned and managed by the British Glass Foundation charity, relies on the goodwill of visitors and support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its survival.

To help raise cash from glass, the museum is asking for any unwanted or unloved items which they can auction next month.

All donated pieces will be put on display at the museum before going under the hammer on October 21 at Fieldings Auctioneers in Mill Race Lane.

The museum is particularly eager to receive pieces that have an interesting history.

Among items already received under the ‘Something Old for Something New’ scheme includes a glass candle holder in the form of a Vauxhall Astra, commissioned in memory of a man killed in a road accident.

Also donated is an abstract sculpture whose creation was shaped by the commotion caused when a cow escaped from a nearby abattoir . Both items were provided by glass artist Ian Pearson.

Graham Knowles, who is chairman of the British Glass Foundation believes the scheme is a novel way of giving unwanted items a new lease of life while supporting a good cause.

He said: “Something Old for Something New has the potential to raise vital funds for the Museum, which now makes a significant contribution to both local heritage and tourism”.

The auction will be conducted by British Glass Foundation trustee Will Farmer, who is also a director at Fieldings Auctioneers and a glass expert who features regularly on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

He added: “It never fails to amaze me some of the items that come out of storage. It’s a fantastic way of making art become a force for good in the community."

Items can be delivered to Fieldings or Stourbridge Glass Museum before September 30