THE curator of a county museum said he was 'overwhelmed' by the kindness of a couple who travelled 240 miles to make a rare donation.

Glyndwr and Brenda Giles travelled down from Kent to deliver a Skarratt grandfather clock to Kington Museum.

The clock, originally made in the town in the 1700s, came into Mr Giles' possession in 1981 after it previously belonged to his aunt, who lived in Norton Wood, Herefordshire, for many years.

Rob Pritchard, museum curator, said he was "absolutely touched" by the gift.

He said: "It’s heart-warming to realize that such generous, public-spirited individuals still exist. The clock is a wonderful Christmas present for the museum and a treasure returned to its Kington home.

"When I received a phone call from a lady in Kent asking if we would be interested in a Skarratt clock I thought she was trying to sell it.

"When she said it would be a donation, I assumed it was someone having a joke. It was only after Brenda explained she felt it would be nice to bring it back to its original home that it registered she was serious.

"One rarely comes across such generosity."

But Glyndwr said he wouldn't have had it any other way.

"I paid nothing for it and I would never dream of asking for any money for it," he added.

"It would break my heart to sell it to someone who wouldn't look after it so I was absolutely delighted when the museum agreed to take it. The clock is back home where it belongs."

The 7ft clock now stands next to a smaller Skarratt clock in the museum on Mill Street.