The reopening date for Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery has been delayed due to bad weather.

Blackburn's cultural landmark closed temporarily on November 1 as repairs are being carried out to 150-year-old roof.

The overall £554,700 replacement scheme is expected to take nine months to carry out. The museum was expected to reopen to visitors on November 29.

However, due to ‘severe weather conditions throughout the month’, building works have been pushed back and it will reopen to visitors on January 3.

A spokesperson for Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery said: “In order to complete our Arts Council England and Department for Culture, Media and Sport MEND funded roof renovations, we will be fully closed for all visitors from 1st November and will reopen January 3, 2024.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, a 150 year old roof does need a lot of TLC and a new roof will ensure that we can continue to care for our collections without worry of water ingress for years to come.”

The full roof is being repaired and replaced due to being in extremely poor condition with water leakage risking damage to not only the fabric of the building but the valuable collections and exhibitions.

Leaks caused internal damage to the original plaster work in the galleries limiting the display of paintings from the museum’s extensive collections.

They are being paid for by a £365,000 Arts Council grant and £189,700 from its owner Blackburn with Darwen Council to restore the building.

The repairs come ahead of the venue’s birthday next year, which will be celebrated with new events, exhibitions and activities boosted after the museum was awarded Arts Council Portfolio status worth £440,000 of funding over the next three years.