TOLPUDDLE Martyrs Museum has reopened after a burst pipe caused a flood this summer.

Museum assistant Celia Wride said: “A visitor noticed water in there and before we knew it there was water pouring down the walls. Luckily we managed to save the exhibits but there was quite a bit of damage to the walls and ceiling.”

The leak was caused by a faulty pipe installed when solar panels were put in earlier this year.

The museum is housed in one of the 1934 Martyrs memorial cottages.

The museum is open on its summer hours of Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm until October 31 and then on reduced hours from Thursdays to Sundays until March.

Completion of repairs means visitors can see all the exhibits and find out more through multi-media screens.

The museum tells the story of Tolpuddle’s Martyrs, farm labourers who were tried in Dorchester and transported to Australia for swearing an oath of unity. Their action helped to bring about trade unionism.

The museum and other features relating to the lives of the Martyrs attract visitors to Tolpuddle from all over the world.