BOSSES at The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, are hoping changes to the interior of the building will increase visitor numbers and create more space for exhibitions.

At the moment, the museum's facade is covered in scaffolding while work is carried out to repair the roof. More construction is to begin inside the building soon, to convert offices on the ground floor into galleries.

"Having the roof fixed will be a huge boon, and will take us off English Heritage's buildings at risk register," said museum director Adrian Jenkins.

"Visitor numbers have doubled over the past five years and to build on that, we now need to make improvements to the inside of the museum."

As part of refurbishment work starting in the next few weeks, archaeology displays in the vaults will make way for educational facilities to cope with increased demand from school groups.

Mr Jenkins said: "As a major attraction we can not stand still; we must offer an innovative and exciting programme. The opening up of new gallery space will allow us the flexibility to do that.

"A major transformation has begun, which, when complete, will plant The Bowes Museum firmly in the 21st Century."