RYEDALE Folk Museum has made a plea for a replacement May Pole after its own pole was damaged by the recent storms.

With the traditional dance round the pole set to take place on Monday, the Museum is asking if a "friendly contractor" might be able to help.

In a statement on its Facebook page the Museum said: "Can you help save May Day?

"A final pre-event check of our trusty May Pole has revealed a problem! The last few days of rain, wind, snow and hail have obviously taken their toll on our May Pole and we've had to take the decision that it won't be safe to dance around on Monday.

"We're working on a temporary replacement but if there's a friendly contractor out there that can save May Day by providing and installing a telegraph pole or something similar, then now's the time to come to the rescue!"