ONE of Lancashire's most popular museums is set to reopen its doors this week.

Helmshore Textile Museum will be welcoming back visitors from Friday in a move that Lancashire County Council hopes will help lead towards the eventual phased reopening of all the authority’s museums, after closures were enforced in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, welcomed the move.

He said: “I’m delighted that we are now able to announce the reopening of another of our wonderful museums.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming people back into our museums to enjoy them again, but we need to take a phased, step-by-step approach to this.

“People will need to respect social distancing rules, and to follow any one-way systems that have been set up.

“I’m grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding, and I’d ask everyone to keep an eye on our website and social media channels where we will announce further details of other museums reopening, when it is safe to do so.”

To book an appointment, go to www.lancashire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/museums.