A TINY museum that helps forge family links across the world has become a victim of what it describes as “the petrol pinch”.

Visitor numbers at the Weardale Museum, in County Durham, have shrunk by 25 per cent this year, largely due to the spiralling cost of motor fuel.

The museum, the smallest in the North-East, is an independent charity run by a dedicated team of 25 volunteers and relies heavily on passing visitors to boost its income.

Last year, it attracted 1,800 visitors – about half of them passing motorists and day visitors to Weardale.

“But because of the rising cost of fuel, we have become particularly vulnerable,” said museum curator David Heatherington.

“It’s a beautiful drive here to upper Weardale, but visitors seem at the moment to be choosing attractions closer to home. A day out in the country is less attractive with the present high price of petrol.

“Even the ten miles from Stanhope here to the museum at Ireshopeburn may be a journey too far.”

This is particularly bad news for the museum, which last year celebrated its 25th anniversary. A highlight of this was the unveiling of a Weardale Tapestry, depicting the history of the dale and created by local women.

Linked to this landmark, the museum’s trustees spent about £3,000 on a system of art gallery lighting. Its annual income from visitors and friends is just over £5,000.

Through a highly successful genealogy programme, the museum has attracted visitors from many parts of the world, linking them with family roots in Weardale. It also provides a perfect introduction to the High House Chapel in Ireshopeburn, the oldest in continuous use in the world.

In a BBC Look North programme last year, historian John Grundy described it as “a wonderfully atmospheric and cosy little museum packed full of interesting stories of Weardale life”.

Mr Heatherington added: “Visitors can share in all of that for only the price of a cup of coffee and a scone.”

􀁧 Weardale Museum is open daily from 2pm to 5pm until the end of August, then from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive each week in September and October. For group visits outside these hours, call 01388-517433.