A whopping £1.2million has been raised towards the construction of the new St Albans museum - only £500,000 away from the fundraising goal.

More than 1,000 people have donated at least £250 towards the St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust’s (MGT) project.

As a thank you, their names will be engraved onto oak Honour Boards that will make up the museum’s Walk of Fame.

It will link the newly-excavated basement gallery with the Georgian prison cells beneath the courtroom of the former Town Hall, which is the building being converted into the new museum.

Names will be engraved by a local artist in a graffiti style inspired by etchings into the jail walls.

Trustee of MGT, Annie Brewster, said: “At this astonishing rate, the community might well close the last £500,000 funding gap we have left to deliver the exciting new museum and art gallery.

“People are writing themselves into history and making their own personal mark on the city for generations to come.

“Many have requested the names of relatives, sometimes in memory of loved ones who lived or worked in the district, including Eric Morecambe.

“I think, once opened, the benefactors’ Walk of Fame will be one of the most visited galleries in the building.”

Example Honour Board engravings are going to be displayed for potential benefactors to see.

One donor, Linda Collyer, put her parents’ names in the Walk of Fame.

“Mum and dad met at a dance and it was love at first sight,” she said.

“They loved their family more than anything and were greatly loved and admired themselves.

“They have been greatly missed by many and the family are delighted and comforted to honour their names.”

Building work to restore the Grade II listed building into a new museum and art gallery started in December 2016 as part of a £7.75million project.

St Albans City and District Council has contributed significant funding and a Heritage Lottery Fund grant has also helped - but MGT has to raise a total of £1.7million as a match fund. Cllr Brewster encouraged people to keep donating, as there is still space on the panels.

For more information, visit www.honoursboard.org.uk or contact Georgina Bawten on 01727 819203 or georgina.bawden@stalbansmgtrust.org.uk