Singer says he is absolutely devastated at destruction of exhibition in Lincolnshire

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The singer Rod Stewart has said he is “absolutely devastated” over the destruction of a model railway exhibition and has promised to donate £10,000 after it was trashed by vandals.

The 74-year-old, who built up his own model railway over more than 20 years, urged fellow musicians to dig deep after the vandalism.

Stands were overturned and layouts destroyed on Saturday at a school in Stamford, Lincolnshire, where the Market Deeping model railway club was holding its annual show.

The club said months of planning had gone into the exhibition, and some of the models were irreplaceable.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Stands were overturned and layouts destroyed at a school in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Photograph: Market Deeping Model Railway Club/PA

Stewart said in a statement: “I was absolutely devastated to hear that vandals had destroyed what was to be a lovely show by the Market Deeping model railway club over the weekend.

“The collection was priceless and I am donating £10,000 to help compensate those affected and asking fellow enthusiasts Jools Holland, Roger Daltrey and others to do the same.”

Stewart added: “It took me 23 years to build my model railway, so I feel their pain.”

The singer is said to own a model of New York’s Grand Central station, complete with talking conductors and air-conditioned skyscrapers. He has said previously: “All the little guys in the engines are talking. It is unbelievable, it really is. Don’t say it’s a ‘train set’. It is a scale-model railway.”

Peter Davies, the chairman of the Market Deeping club, told the BBC: “Models that were made over years were trodden on and thrown around. It’s a total wanton destruction of the highest order. I’ve never experienced anything like it. A hurricane would have done less damage.”

He said the club had been overwhelmed with offers of support and he thanked wellwishers for their help.

The crowdfunding page to raise money for the exhibition has received more than £60,000 in donations.

Four youths were arrested in connection with the incident and have been released on conditional police bail pending further inquiries.

Lincolnshire police were alerted by a local resident after noises were heard coming from Queen Eleanor school shortly before 4am on Saturday.