A MUSEUM is claiming squatters' rights on a building its council landlord wants to sell.

Richmondshire Museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, says it has never been charged rent by the district council for two rooms it first occupied in 1978.

The space used for storage at the rear of 33 Frenchgate, in the town, is vital for the future of the tourist attraction, say the volunteers who run the museum.

However, Richmondshire District Council has announced plans to sell the building, including the museum's rooms.

Mike Wood, chairman of the museum management committee, said: "I asked the council to come and speak to us before they made a decision, but of course they didn't. So we have decided to lay claim to these rooms."

The management committee is looking to make a claim for squatters' rights, legally known as adverse possession, on at least two of the four rooms it occupies.

The district council will no longer need 33 Frenchgate, which it uses as office space, when staff move to a new office next year.

Leader of the council Councillor John Blackie said: "While we sympathise with the museum and commend the great work it has done, and continues to do, both locally and nationally, we must look at the requirements of our staff.

"Working conditions in several of the council's offices in the town are totally unsatisfactory. That is why the council has agreed to relocate to new offices that will be built on the Colburn Business Park as a top priority.

"To do this we must dispose of all of our existing offices in Richmond in such a way as to maximise their value."

The council said it would give the museum first refusal when the building went on the market.

Published: 02/12/2004