Abandoned buildings have the power to stir the emotions and think about the times gone by.

Homes and work places which were once bustling with life suddenly stand motionless, caught in time.

There is often a sad story behind each derelict building, perhaps a business that ran out of money or a hospital that became expendable.

Like many counties in the UK, Worcestershire is not short of abandoned buildings.

Towns that once relied on huge amounts of manufacturing can often be littered with deserted factories as industries dried up.

Opinions are often divided on what should become of these buildings.

Many call for them to be torn down so innovative ideas or projects have the chance to capture the imagination of a new generation. Others want the buildings to be kept as they are, a permanent historical document defining the county.

Witley Court, Great Whitley

Witley Court was built in the style of Italian architecture

Whitley Hall was built in 1655 for the Foyle family who made their fortune in iron.

The mansion was built in the style of Italian architecture and was lauded as one of the great palaces of exuberance.

Over the centuries the property changed hands, with each wealthy owner adding to the already impressive home.

Remaining in the ownership of the country's wealthy the mansion was eventually bought by carpet manufacturer Sir Herbert Smith in 1920.

Smith would be the last owner of Whitey Hall after a devastating fire on September 7, 1937, left the building in ruins.

Now under the ownership of English Heritage the house, although still empty, has become a place for people to visit and spend the day.

The mansion remains a spectacular ruin.

St Mary's School - Battenhall Mount, Worcester

The building opened as a school in 1934

St Mary's School will be fondly remembered in Worcestershire as the school set up by a group of nuns in 1934, but its history goes back much further to the 19th Century.

The building that housed the school was actually a former mansion called Battenhall Mount, which was built during 1860s.

The owner, Sir Percy Allsopp, expanded the property but was hit by money problems and was forced to sell his home.

The Sisters of St Marie Madeleine Postel were already running a school in Reading at the time they bought the property.

For more than 80 years they taught the children of Worcester before the school was forced to closed in 2014.

The site has now become a retirement village, but is yet to welcome its first guests.

Lea Castle Hospital, Kidderminster

The hospital opened in 1952

Lea Castle Hospital in Kidderminster opened in 1952, housing around 600 beds at its peak.

The site was used to help people who were living with mental illness.

The hospital closed in 2008 an still remains abandoned however at the end of 2019 approval was given for a developer to build 600 new homes.

It is believed that before the site was used as a hospital an American military hospital was based there.

Puxton Mill, Kidderminster

Puxton Mill is a Grade II listed building

Puxton Mill in Kidderminser was built in the 19th Century and is Grade ll listed building.

The mill, as expected, is sat along side the Rver Stour.

Francis Jellyman built the property for tarpaulin manufacture but it was later used to make carpets.

The mill was originally known as Townshend Mill.

Rock Works, Kidderminster

The Rocks Works was constructed in 1884

Rocks Works on Park Lane in Kidderminster was a carpet factory which was used from the late 19th Century.

The original part of the factory was build in 1884 for Richard Smith and Sons.

The building has remained abandoned for many years, with no real answers on what purpose she can serve.

Worcestershire Live — your brand new, digital-only news service

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Welcome to Worcestershire Live, a brand new, digital-only news service for this amazing part of the world.

We will bring you fast-moving and in-depth news seven days a week direct to your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, from the Malvern Hills to Redditch and Kidderminster to Evesham.

But we're more than just news. We'll cover what people are talking about every day and celebrate the very best that this incredible part of the world has to offer.

But, crucially, we want to hear from you. What are the issues you want to see covered? Please let us know.

You can find our channel on the Birmingham Live website, which you can reach directly here.

Find us and message us on Facebook here and on Twitter here.

QinetiQ Building, Malvern

During the Second World War the UK's best scientist worked in Malvern

The 'South Site' of QinetiQ has a rich past in British history and its success in the Second World War.

Those who worked at the south site in Malven were some of the cleverest minds in the UK and ensured Britain won the battle for radar supremacy.

The Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE) eventually became QinetiQ, one of the UK's largest defence companies.

Like with many businesses the company decided to move staff out of older buildings into newer premises, which has meant the south site has remained empty for some time.

The Queen visited the site in 1976