A Dorchester museum has appointed a new curator.

Laura Jayne Gardner has assumed the role of curator of the Keep Military Museum after the departure of Chris Copson.

She joined the Keep a year ago as Deputy Curator, and has now taken on the top job.

She said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for me to work in such a highly regarded and well-established regimental museum and to help develop it for the 21st century. I’m fascinated by our military heritage – especially the early years of our Regiments – and by the social aspects of army life, including veterans.

"We’ve lots already planned for the next year. Our ambition is to open the Museum to the wider community in Dorchester and beyond. Ours is an exciting and proud story and I look forward to helping to tell it."

Laura, who has an MA in Heritage with the University of Leicester, previously volunteered at Weymouth Museum, of which she is now a trustee.

Former curator Chris Copson will move on to the Haynes Motor Museum.

Brigadier Richard Toomey, Chair of the Keep Museum Trustees, said: "The Trustees are delighted to have appointed Laura as the Curator-Manager at the Keep. We are really impressed with her ability and enthusiasm. Laura will play a leading part in helping us to achieve our ambitions for the future."

For more information visit keepmilitarymuseum.org