HEREFORD'S Waterworks Museum will be closed until at least the end of April due to coronavirus fears.

Museum directors said it's an "unprecedented step" which has not been taken lightly, but is to ensure the health and wellbeing of its volunteers.

Chairman Richard Curtis said: ‘This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is the right thing to do.

"The Museum is operated by around 35 regular volunteers, most of whom, by virtue of age or existing health conditions, would be very vulnerable if they caught the virus.

"Given the non-critical nature of what we do at the Waterworks Museum, this is not a risk that we need to take."

RELATED NEWS:

The decision means that the Museum will be closed to volunteers and visiting public at least until the end of April. Family open-days and attractions scheduled for March 29, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and the children’s holiday event on April 7 are cancelled.

The 2020 Hereford Steampunk Weekend has also been cancelled.