OPPOSITION councillors have launched a bid to delay the closure of the DLI Museum.

Liberal Democrat Mark Wilkes is calling on Durham County Council to suspend the process of closing the Durham City museum pending further consultation with the public, DLI veterans and councillors.

The council’s Labour cabinet backed closure in October, but a Facebook campaign to save the museum has attracted nearly 25,500 members and an online petition more than 7,000 names.

Cllr Wilkes, whose attempt to have the closure “called in” for further scrutiny was refused, said there had been an “unacceptable lack of public consultation”.

“We have been left with no choice but to call a vote on this issue. All the cabinet needed to do was to consult with the public. They chose not to and have upset so many people.”

Lib Dem group leader Amanda Hopgood called for cross-party support for the motion, saying consulting was “the least we should be doing”.

“It is a very reasonable request for a delay so that all possible options can be considered. The council says it prides itself on listening. This is its opportunity to take a step back and do just that.”

The council plans to close the museum, which houses DLI firearms, uniforms, medals and more dating from 1758 to 2011 and attracts 39,000 visitors a year, from the Spring, moving the collection to a specialist facility in Spennymoor, where the authority says the treasures can be stored safely.

It is also planning a series of long-term and temporary exhibitions, including at Palace Green Library, which it says will allow more of the regiment’s stories to be told.

Writing for The Northern Echo last week, council cabinet member Neil Foster and James Ramsbotham, of the DLI Trustees, said they understood and shared the strong feelings people have about the DLI collection and felt sure their efforts would be a “fitting tribute” to those who served with the regiment.

Meanwhile, Ukip North-East MEP Jonathan Arnott has called on the council to sell “hidden artworks” to continue subsidising the museum.

“The council have reached their decision because of annual savings of £221,000 but I think they should instead look to sell off their £1.6m-worth of artworks, most of which is not even on show.”

Cllr Wilkes’ motion will go before a full council meeting next Wednesday (December 9).