'Ambitious plans' for museums cash boost

Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum in Wallsend was among those awarded grant money

Museums across the north-east of England and Cumbria have been awarded more than £2m as part of a national funding scheme.

The Museum Renewal Fund is a £20m pot of grant money that will be shared across 75 museums in England.

One of the sites, Middlesbrough Council's Captain Cook Birthplace Museum said the money would support the development of "ambitious plans" for a new venue in Stewart Park.

Keswick Museum said it was delighted to receive the funding, while North East Museums, which runs sites such as the Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum on North Tyneside, said it would help "provide learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds".

The museums in the North East and Cumbria receiving funding are:

• Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery - £598,775

• Keswick Museum & Art Gallery Management Ltd - £217,103

• Lakeland Arts - £295,713

• Sunderland City Council - £102,280

• The Bowes Museum - £436,181

• Jarrow Hall - £38,669

• Middlesbrough Council Cultural Services - £239,551

• North East Museums (formerly Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums) - £438,300

Keswick Museum manager Jane Affleck said it planned to trial a new immersive experience that would allow people to experience the fells while inside the museum.

She said it would increase "accessibility to the landscape of the Lake District National Park and its inspiring views".

Executive director at The Bowes Museum Hannah Fox said it was "incredibly grateful" for the funding as museums had been operating with ever-increasing costs.

Sir Nicholas Serota, chairman of Arts Council England, said the funding would provide a "crucial lifeline for local museums in stabilising their financial situation and building towards a sustainable future".