An important heritage site in Suffolk needs donations so it can restore a 19th Century windpump.

The Museum of East Anglian Life, in Stowmarket, has made the appeal to help fund urgent work for its Eastbridge Windpump.

The smock mill building was rebuilt between 1978-80 but is now in need of refurbishment. Replacement and painting of the timber smock and cap has begun but new parts need to be manufactured for the sails.

Director of the museum, Tony Butler, said: “The museum cares for more than 20 historic buildings and we have a rolling programme of maintenance.

“This time the windpump is in extensive need of repair having been in our wet meadows for nearly 35 years. This is a great opportunity for people to demonstrate their support for the museum and make new history for this wonderful East Anglian building.

The museum is offering supporters the opportunity to help preserve the windpump by sponsoring a shutter or lever. Their support will be acknowledged on a plaque bearing their name at the site of the windpump.

“By sponsoring a shutter or a lever, through say a £10 donation, they would be helping enormously,” Mr Butler said.

The mill’s sails, which are linked by a series of levers to a weighted chain wheel, were designed by Norfolk engineer William Cubitt in 1807. Call the museum on 01449 612229 to find out how to make a donation.