Art stored for museum's facelift

There has been opposition to the modern design of the extension

Thousands of artworks are being packed away at the Holburne Museum in Bath as a controversial development project gets under way.

A £9.6m glass extension is to be built behind the historic Georgian building.

Opponents of the scheme describe it as "uncompromisingly modern" and "totally inappropriate for a conservation area".

The museum is closed to the public until June, when it will open briefly for a final exhibition before reopening fully in autumn 2010.

The Holburne houses paintings, silver, sculpture, furniture and porcelain, with works by Gainsborough, Guardi, Stubbs and Turner.

More than 7,000 pieces of artwork are being packed, stored or lent to other museums in preparation for the development.