THE future of Rossendale’s 111-year-old museum would appear to be in safe hands – if the venue’s temporary junior custodians are anything to go by.

A group of 11 young curators launched a takeover at Rawtenstall’s Whitaker Park Museum for a day, with the backing of trustees.

And their enthusiasm for the job certainly impressed Carl Bell, managing director for the Whitaker Group, which took charge of the institution earlier this year.

He said: “It was a really successful day and it could be something we look to do every couple of months or so in future.

“Some of our young curators were superb and the volunteers did everything from ‘meet and greets’ to looking around the natural history gallery and helping in the cafe. ”The youngsters also conducted mini-tours and helped to stage craft sessions.

Just a week before taking on their new roles, the young helpers had met for a day-long training session, which briefed them on the history of the house Museum creative director Jackie Taylor added: “This event was always very important for us and we have been overwelmed with both the knowledge and enthusiasm of the children.

“This is a real positive for Rossendale and the future of the museum. We are all looking forward to the next time.”

The exercise at The Whitaker, which has been independently run since April, was undertaken as part of a national Kids in Museums ‘takeover’ day