CURATOR Richard de Peyer has quit the Dorset County Museum after one of the most successful years in its recent history.

He resigned from the top post exactly a decade and a week after taking over at the High West Street attraction from former curator Roger Peers.

Mr de Peyer, who is married with children, departed as visitor numbers soared amid innovations, popular exhibitions and the coup of securing historic Thomas Hardy memorabilia at auction.

Now the museum, which is run by the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, is facing a management shake-up with a new director to be appointed.

Mr de Peyer, who lives near Crewkerne in Somerset, today refused to comment on the reason for his departure because of a confidentiality clause linked to a severance payment.

Now Mr de Peyer is set to look for alternative employment - possibly in other parts of the country.

Members of the council of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society refused to comment and referred enquiries to their chairman Anthony Pitt-Rivers.

Mr Pitt-Rivers was today on holiday and unavailable for comment.

A spokesman for the museum said: "Following Richard de Peyer's resignation as curator, the council of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society has decided to restructure the management of the museum.

"It will be advertising for the position of director. Until a new appointment is made, John Grantham will be acting director, and Kate Hebditch will be acting curator."

Mr de Peyer was on leave last week before officially resigning.

He heralded a new dawn at the attraction after years of battling to make ends meet with grants with a host of new measures to attract visitors - including an entry price freeze and profile-raising promotions.

A needlework exhibition over last winter at the museum doubled monthly visitor figures and was the subject of European media interest.

Former Dorchester mayor Wally Gundry, who is a member of the society's council, said: "I always got on well with Mr de Peyer and I am sorry to see him go."

The shake-up follows upheaval at the Dorchester-based Thomas Hardy Society when chairman Simon Curtis quit in a row at their annual conference.

Mr Peyer and museum customer services manager Mr Grantham drew more visitors with such developments as new audio guides and the launch of a new Dorchester Gallery.

They also sought to raise the museum's profile amid calls in Dorchester for the town to promote its heritage and attractions better.