THERE have been many changes at the Bowes museum since it was taken over by a new trust last year.

But more are planned in the future, including a new director, Mr Adrian Jenkins, who takes up his post on Monday, and a makeover of its famous silver swan.

Marketing officer Dr Anne Allen said the creation of a new corporate identity for promotional literature, stationery, museum displays and merchandise had been central to establishing the museum's new image. The new logo gave a facelift to an old favourite, the silver swan automaton.

Dr Allen explained that the old image, a dark silhouette of the building, was not immediately recognisable, and was limited in its application.

The new brand has two forms - an elegant, stylised representation of the swan, and a junior version featuring a Daffy Duck-style cartoon illustration.

The museum is hoping the cartoon will attract younger visitors and school groups and with this in mind has launched a competition to name the swan. Entry forms are available from the museum on Teesdale 690606.

The museum has also teamed up with local company Waltons' Escorted Tours to run tours of Dickens' Teesdale and is working with Teesdale Marketing to attract tourists on fine art short breaks in the dale.

l The last curator: page 11.