Five decades ago staff and residents were left shocked after a shot was fired at the window of a care home in Stafford.

On 18 April 1977, it was discovered that vandals had shot at a window of Wilford House Eventide Home on Rowley Bank.

A care assistant realised the window had been damaged after entering the room and finding it covered in splintered glass. 

Police believed that an air rifle had been used to fire at the window.

Speaking to the Express and Star following the incident, Matron Jackie Buchanan-Burt said: "How can anyone be so heartless and stupid?

"Many old people have bad hearts and it is just fortunate that the room at which the shot was fired was empty.

"It is obvious from the sign outside that we are an old people's home, so whoever did this was stupid and very thoughtless."

Wilford House was built in 1920 and purchased by Eventide in 1950. 

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The home was named after Sidney Miner Wilford, a valued member of Stafford Rotary Club who helped to set up many Eventide Homes.

It closed in 2020 and has now been demolished.