Whale skeleton moved during museum renovations

Driggsby, the giant skeleton, has been put in storage while renovation work is carried out

Museum staff have spent the week painstakingly taking down a 46ft (14m) fin whale skeleton ahead of building renovations.

The giant skeleton, named Driggsby, had been on display above the reception at Tullie Museum in Carlisle, but has now been put in storage.

It was discovered by a dog walker when it was washed up on the west Cumbrian coast in 2014 and has been on display since 2018.

Museum bosses did not want it to get damaged while a £4.5m revamp of the attraction is carried out which will include a new shop, gallery and entrance.

The skeleton was removed piece by piece and placed in storage

Anna Smalley, the collections and engagement officer at Tullie, said: “I think when visitors eventually walk in they are going to be amazed at the transformation.

"This is going to absolutely improve the visitor experience.

"We’re going to give the wall Driggsby is displayed in front of a paint job, but he’s going back where he’s supposed to be."

The building will remain closed until the summer.

The work is part of a 15-year programme during which the museum will be "transformed", museum bosses said.