NEARLY £3,000 has been raised to help repair the Brierley Hill grave of Zulu war hero Anthony Booth which was found damaged.

Military history enthusiasts were left devastated after finding the grave site of the brave Victoria Cross winner, who served with the South Staffordshire Regiment, had been wrecked.

Historian Jonathan Graham, from Aberdeen, discovered the damage on August 15 when he visited St Michael's Churchyard to pay his respects to the retired Army Colour-Sergeant who was awarded the UK's highest honour for gallantry for his brave actions in South Africa while serving in the Zulu war of 1879.

The Victoria Cross Trust has already put in motion efforts to see the grave restored it to its former glory and as the News went to press £2,622 had been raised through an online donation site - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/BoothVC - to help fund the repairs.

Gary Stapleton, chairman of the Doncaster based VC Trust, said he was delighted at the generous response from members of the public which will enable the trust to commit to organising the repairs.

He told the News: "It's great the amount of support locally that there's been. Hopefully we'll do a nice big community gathering and re-dedication when it's repaired."

Booth, who received the VC on June 26 1880 at Windsor Castle from Queen Victoria, was awarded the honour for his bravery on March 12 1879 when a large group of Zulus launched an attack on the British on the Intombe River. Having covered the retreat of 50 soldiers and others for three miles - his actions saved the lives of all involved.

After retiring from the Army, he settled in Brierley Hill.

He died at his home in William Street on December 8 1899 and was buried in St Michael’s Churchyard – near the grave of his father.

Anyone still wishing to make a donation to the VC Trust for the repairs can do so online on the address highlighted above.