AN award-winning North-East heritage museum will open its doors once again on Wednesday, July 22, with new health and safety measures in place.

To ensure the safety of visitors and staff at Kirkleatham Museum, near Redcar, a one-way route will be in operation at the museum as well as new signage, hand sanitisers, contactless payment and an increased cleaning regime in all public areas.

Museum visitors are being asked to book tickets in advance on Eventbrite https:/ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kirkleatham-museum-visit-tickets-113867189830 to help maintain social distancing and ensure visits to the museum are safe and enjoyable.

A timeslot will be allocated for the arrival time and the length of time visitors can stay will be made clear during the booking process.

Anyone who is unable to book tickets online can call the museum on 01642 479500 where a member of staff will be able to help.

A small number of spaces may be available for visitors who turn up without booking in advance. However. visitors are being encouraged to book a slot wherever possible.

Deputy Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Cllr Karen King said: “Keeping visitors and staff at the museum safe is our priority and I would encourage visitors to use the online booking system to book tickets in advance and follow the new health and safety measures that are now in place at the museum.

“Museums and cultural attractions play a big role in the well-being of residents and visitors to the area and it is great news that Kirkleatham Museum, which is a treasure of artefacts and exhibitions, is reopening now it is safe to do so.”

The museum will be open Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm, but closed on Sunday, July. 26.

Current exhibitions include the World War One room, Steel Stories, Saxons, Gertrude Bell and the British Museum, Nordic by Nature Exhibition which will be exhibited at the museum until October 2020.

A range of online activity has been on offer to residents during lockdown including the Museum of Kindness and VE Day window dressings as well as stories and crafts available on the museum facebook page and youtube channel.

The playground and picnic area will also open on Wednesday, with visitors welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy outside – weather permitting.

For further information visit the Kirkleatham facebook page or www.redcarcleveland.co.uk/enjoy/kirkleatham-museum