USE it or lose it - that was the message to the people of Kendal from a new group that has been set up to help the town's museum, reports Paul Duncan.

The Kendal Museum Support Group is the brainchild of local historian Arthur Nicholls, and has been set up to help museum staff and generate interest in the museum, which has had its opening hours reduced as a result of cost-cutting measures introduced by South Lakeland District Council.

"From April, the museum will only be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. The people of Kendal must realise that this is one of the town's most precious assets that is being damaged and we may even lose it if we are not careful," said Mr Nicholls.

The group has around 12 volunteers who will go into the museum on Saturday afternoons and help existing staff to give information to visitors and assist "with general housekeeping duties" such as cleaning and gardening.

Representatives of Kendal Town Council's museum support group have been invited to meet SLDC representatives at a future date to discuss the future of Kendal Museum.

Arthur Nicholls has written a piece about Kendal Museum which can be viewed in Leisure - Arts Scene.