RAIN damage has forced a museum to close after water gushed through ceilings during Tuesday evening's thunderstorms.

The Darlington Railway Centre and Museum is due to reopen today, but it could be up to three weeks before the affected rooms are back in action.

Three rooms suffered a total of £5,000 worth of damage after the gutters were unable to handle the volume of water during the downpours.

A temporary exhibition has been moved so that it can remain on show once the museum reopens.

The main hall and most of the building will be back in action tomorrow.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council, which owns the museum, said: "It will probably be three weeks before we can get everything back as it was. But we will try to get it up and running before then."

Until the museum is completely reopened, discounted charges will be in place, allowing adults entry for £1.50, as opposed to £2.20, and children and concessions admitted for 75p, instead of £1.10.