Joanna Lumley ‘heartbroken’ by Moat Brae in Dumfries closure

“I am heartbroken that Moat Brae has had to close its doors,” she said.

“Many people are trying to think of ways to keep this beautiful and important historical building open and filled with children.

“Reading and learning about literature are the bedrock of education and provide essential escapism for people of all ages, but most especially for children, and I shall keep my fingers crossed that some solution will be found.”

Ms Lumley said there were also important historical reasons to keep the building open.

“The place where Peter Pan was born should be celebrated and the name of JM Barrie kept alive,” she said.

“I wait, like Mrs Darling at the nursery window, to see if love and life will return to Moat Brae.”