Museum honours shipwreck heroine

The coble, built in the 1830s, has never been moved since 1938

A revamped museum, dedicated to a Northumberland heroine who rescued a shipwrecked crew off the North East coast, is being officially opened.

In 1838, Grace Darling risked her life to row out to help survivors of the shipwrecked SS Forfarshire, during a storm off the village of Bamburgh.

The 21ft (6.4m) fishing coble she used is the star attraction of a revamped RNLI museum in the village.

More than 300 people were expected to attend Tuesday's opening ceremony.

The 69-year-old Grace Darling Museum has undergone a £1.5m refit, with the majority of the cash coming from the heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Unique collection

The museum opened to the public in December and has already attracted several thousand visitors.

After a service at St Aidan's Church, where Grace Darling is buried, the museum will be declared officially open by RNLI chairman Sir Jock Slater.

Maureen La Frenais, RNLI Grace Darling Museum project manager, said: "This new museum has improved access for the public and provides better conditions for storing and displaying the unique Grace Darling collection.

"It also includes an education, research and community room, will provide hands-on opportunities for learning, research, talks and special events, and help raise funds for the RNLI charity."