A West Cumbria gallery is in danger of closing in five months.

Volunteers at Egremont’s Lowes Court Gallery are now urging the community to support them or they will be forced to shut by December.

The gallery, which has been open 40 years, desperately needs new funds, artists/craftspeople and volunteers to ensure it remains viable.

It lost funding in 2014 as a supported Tourist Information outlet and has struggled to cope without the extra income.

The costs of renting, heating and maintaining the Grade II listed building, at Main Street, which houses the gallery, have increasingly put pressure on its budget.

Sheila Moffat, chairman of Lowes Court Gallery Association, said: “We need people to buy local and invest in local artists and crafts to keep us open.

“Most of the artists and crafters who exhibit here are not doing it for the money but just to exhibit, support the area and keep the arts alive.

“Lowes Court has invested money in repairing the old cottage (where the gallery is housed) over the last four decades, and in what is a dying high street, stands out as one of the few remaining businesses that could, with the right investment, attract tourists to the area.”

One of the schemes put forward by the volunteers is for members of the community to become ‘friends’ of the gallery and pay a yearly £15 to support its running.

New artists and craftspeople would also be asked to pay £30 (£15 for the remainder of 2017).

Fresh volunteers are also needed to staff the gallery which is currently only able to open 20 hours per week.

Sue Cole, secretary of Lowes Court Gallery Association, said: “If we could attract 500 people who are willing to pay £15 then that would be £7,500 a year. That would be a huge step towards helping to keep us open. It would make all the difference, if we can rally the community.

“The gallery is an asset to the town. We need more people to care and keep it open.

“However, if no one is interested, then at least we will know.”

To help, email Lowes Court Gallery at lowescourt@btconnect.com or ring 01946 820693.