FREE entry to Dorset County Museum has been extended as work in one of its galleries continues.

Major work has been going on in the Victorian Gallery, the Dorchester museum’s main hall, this week to repair the floor.

The rest of the museum has remained open though and, in recognition of the disruption caused, visitors have been admitted free of charge. The work was due to be completed this week but the special finish to the wooden flooring needs a further 72 hours to dry so the Victorian Gallery will now remained closed through to the end of Tuesday, January 28, and the free opening to the rest of the attraction has been extended accordingly.

Entry will be completely free until 4pm on Tuesday with a range of galleries still available to view as well as the museum shop, tea room and its current exhibition of paintings and sculptures, The Heart That Fed.

Director of the museum Dr Jon Murden said: “The work is largely finished but the protective coating needs a bit longer to dry completely.

“We hope everyone will notice a huge difference when they see the new floor, and it will provide the gallery with all the protection it needs for many years.”

He added: “Visitors will still be able to see most of the Victorian Gallery from the Dorchester Gallery above it – so this opportunity is too good to miss.”

The museum is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.