Whitehaven's Beacon Museum and Portal have been closed until further notice in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to help delay the spread of the virus.

The museum’s Bears! exhibition, and the Whitehaven West Coast Photo festival, both due to start on March 28, have both been postponed.

However, the museum team will use its enforced closure to extend its commitment to the community and will offer learning, fun and engagement through its social media channels.

Elizabeth Kwasnik, Museum Director, said: “We have already installed our spring exhibition, Bears!, and we remain hopeful that this fantastic interactive exhibition can be enjoyed by the public when the time is right.

“We also hope to reschedule the West Coast Photo festival, run in collaboration with Signal Film and Media in Barrow, in the near future.

“We are naturally very disappointed to have closed. But if we can’t offer you a great day out for the time being, we are committed to engage with you in your homes on local history, the arts and science.

"For example, Baxter the Bear will be looking at objects of a historical interest in a series of short, fun videos released over coming weeks.

“We look forward to welcoming you our loyal visitor audience back to the museum in the not too distant future, and in the meantime, we wish everyone health and peace of mind in these uncertain times.”

Connect with The Beacon team via Facebook, Twitter (@TheBeaconMuseum) and at www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk