ONE of the region's most popular tourist attraction is to close for the forseeable future due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, has said it would be shut until at least May 1.

A spokesperson for Beamish Museum said: “In response to Government guidance on coronavirus, the museum will be closed from 4pm on Friday, March 20.

“The health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and volunteers remains, as always, our number one priority.

"The museum is expected to be closed until at least May 1 but we will be continuing to monitor all Government advice and will keep this under review during April.

“Our forthcoming Great North Steam Fair and Horses at Work events, which were due to take place next month, will be postponed. We will be announcing new dates for these in due course. Full details of changes to our events and activities programme will be updated on our website and social media.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their understanding during these difficult and unprecedented times for everyone.

“We’ll be keeping in touch with everyone through our website and social media and look forward to welcoming visitors back to Beamish soon.”