A MUSEUM sited in the oldest town house in Lancaster has reopened to the public.

Grade I listed Judges Lodgings, which is believed to date from around 1625, was closed except for organised visits in 2016 by the previous administration at Lancashire County Council.

Today it was reopened by leader of the council Geoff Driver CBE during a special ceremony.

Cllr Driver said: "I was absolutely delighted to reopen the Judges Lodgings, which is a wonderful building with a really amazing history covering almost 400 years.

"The council has been working hard to ensure the museum was once again open to the public and it's great to know that so people will now be able to enjoy its exhibits.

"Since the closure by the previous administration in 2016, the council has maintained the collection at Judges Lodgings and ensured it was available for organised tours, such as school trips.

"But what we really wanted to do was make it open to the public again.

"It is of immense historical significance, not just in Lancaster but the whole region, especially with its amazing collection of Gillows Furniture."

Lynda Jackson, museum manager at Judges Lodgings, said: "It has been a brilliant day, and really great to see so many people enjoying the museum.

"I hope many more will now take the opportunity to come and see us and find out about the fantastic items we have on show.

"We also have events planned across the Spring and Summer and hope people will come and join us for those."

This weekend, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March, there will a family fun weekend between 11am and 4pm each day, with live music, free craft and living history.

No booking required. Adults £3 Concessions £2 Children free.