LONDON.- The Art Fund announced that the three major UK political party leaders are backing the Staffordshire Hoard campaign.

The Art Fund today announces that the three major UK political party leaders are backing the Staffordshire Hoard campaign.

Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg have all pledged support for The Art Fund’s campaign to save the Staffordshire Hoard for the West Midlands.

The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP said: "The Staffordshire Hoard is a wonderful example of our ‘hidden heritage’. I really hope that the money can be raised to keep it where it belongs: in the English midlands, as a source of wonder, knowledge and delight for young and old forever."

The Art Fund has today announced that the total raised at the end of the first week of the campaign to save the Hoard is £553,500.

The figure includes an initial grant of £300,000 from The Art Fund, £100,000 donated by each Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent City Councils. The other £53,500 has been raised by public donation. Anyone wishing to donate can do so using The Art Fund’s dedicated website www.artfund.org/hoard.

The Art Fund’s Director Dr Stephen Deuchar said: "It is clear from the support shown by our party political leaders that this is a campaign that really does matter. £553,500 is an impressive start and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the trouble to make a donation. But there is still a very long way to go before we reach the £3.3million needed to guarantee that this precious treasure is saved for the nation."

Throughout the duration of the campaign events and activities will be taking place in the West Midlands to raise funds to keep the Staffordshire Hoard in the region.