A weekly newspaper is raising thousands of pounds to commemorate the women who worked in one of its patch’s main industries.

The Buxton Advertiser has launched the fundraising campaign to create “a lasting tribute” to women who served the quarrying industry in the Derbyshire town.

The Advertiser is aiming to raise £4,000 for the statue in association with the Buxton Civic Association.

The campaign’s launch comes after ‘Jack’, a statue of a male lime worker in Buxton, was repaired after recently being vandalised.

The statue’s restoration provided a splash for the Advertiser earlier this month, pictured above.

Launching the new campaign on Thursday, editor Louise Cooper wrote: “So many of us, including myself, will have family members who have worked in the industry, so Jack had a personal connection to us all.

“Seeing Jack so badly damaged spurred you into action – our wonderful town residents soon rallied round and raised more than double the amount needed to repair him. And now, as we reported last week, he’s back to his very best.

“Buxton Civic Association have always wanted to add a female statue next to Jack, representing all the women involved in the quarrying industry over the years – but they have not been able to find the money for this.

“That’s why today, we are launching a new campaign aiming to raise the £4,000 needed for this statue.

“The Buxton Advertiser is so proud to be a part of this wonderful community, and to support Buxton Civic Association – which is a registered charity that does so much to look after some of the jewels in our town’s crown.”