Scores of letters have flooded into Ledbury's Shell House Gallery, following news that the Ireland family are giving up the Homend business.

Six-year-old Hamish Ireland, grandson of gallery owners Pat and Jim Ireland, has a rare chromosomal problem called Prader-Willi Syndrome.

In April, he faces an eight-hour operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital to correct a double-curvature of the spine.

Without the operation, the condition could be life-threatening. For many weeks afterwards, parents Jeremy and Jane and his grandparents must work a 24-hour rota to keep the little boy under constant supervision.

The situation had arisen at a time when Jim Ireland is battling cancer, having been diagnosed last autumn.

Mr Ireland, who is undergoing treatment at Hereford Hospital, said: "I want to get over my problem and be supportive as possible, for Jeremy and Jane."

Mrs Ireland said: "My feelings about not having the gallery, after 28 years, are mixed. There is great sadness but we have had over 100 letters of goodwill, from all around the UK and also from America.

"I was surprised that people hold us in such high regard. It is heart-warming and wonderful."

The Ledbury community has always taken Hamish to its heart. A fundraising drive in 2003 contributed more than £25,000 in just six months to the Prader-Willi Association.

Artist Graham Kershaw ran in the London Marathon and Jeremy completed a sponsored cycle ride through France, in the company of friends.

Separately to that, Mr Ireland and nine friends lined up in the London Triathlon to raise a further £16,000, split between the Prader-Willi Association and research into childhood cancer.

The Shell House Gallery will be taken over by Cheltenham-based Fine Art UK, next month.

It will no longer be called the Shell House Gallery but the Irelands are pleased that it will remain a gallery and two members of staff will keep their jobs under the new management.

The Shell House Gallery will continue to display, sell and promote fine art through a website run by Jeremy.