A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of Swanage Museum because of an infestation of death-watch beetle in its historic roof.

The museum has been based at a 17th-century tithe barn since 1976 but museum leaders are now in discussions about its future.

Its roof timbers are getting weaker and extensive work is needed to repair or replace them.

A long-time museum member, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is a shock to learn that the Tithe Barn is in such a bad state that its future is in serious doubt.

"All the hard work that curator David Haysom and such pioneers as Phyllis Mapley, David Florence and others put in during those early years must not be lost."

Two bids for lottery funding have proven unsuccessful - the most recent to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant of some £160,000.

A structural engineer is advising museum leaders on whether or not the building is safe enough to open to the public this year.

In a letter to museum members, the Swanage Museum Committee states: "The upshot of all this is that the committee had to have a contingency plan and that was to find alternative accommodation.

"We have not finalised anything yet but the committee are following up interest shown from the Pier and Heritage Centre, both of which would be more prominent locations for various activities of the museum.

"If plans come to fruition we may find we have a more accessible display space and an area for administration and research."

First published: February 2