Future vision for asbestos museum

Asbestos was found during renovation work at the museum

A museum in Cumbria hit by an asbestos scare is looking to the future after commissioning a report into how to develop their attraction.

The Mining Museum at Haig Colliery in Whitehaven has been closed since 10 July following the discovery of asbestos in the cellar during the museum renovation.

Following cleaning-up work, staff returned to the museum on 11 August and it is hoped to open again to the public at the end of the month.

Now it has been given a grant of £35,000 to investigate improvements and expansion of the premises.

The cash means staff can complete a business plan and assess the market for future developments.

New jobs

Funding is from English Partnerships' National Coalfield Programme and West Lakes Renaissance.

Consultants who specialise in heritage and culture tourism will look at the museum's future potential.

They hope to draw up a feasible plan for expansion, which would include new jobs, and will submit their report in ten weeks' time.

The long closure has cost the museum "several thousands of pounds" over the summer.