A NEW scheme is about to take culture out of the museums and on to the road.

The scheme will bring museum artefacts into unusual venues using a 'flying showcase'.

Six museums across Hambleton and Richmondshire have signed up to the project putting museum objects on temporary display in local community facilities such as doctor's and veterinary surgeries, leisure centres and banks.

Curators hope the scheme will not only make more people aware of the museums, but generate an interest in the artefacts.

"This scheme will take museums out into the community, giving more local people access to our objects," said museums' officer, Lynda Powell.

"Many people do not go to museums because they have an image of them being boring but in fact they have lots to offer. We hope this will raise the profile of our many excellent museums."

The showcase will begin its journey on February 18 at Bedale leisure centre. The town's museum will be responsible for it for six weeks before handing it on.

Other venues taking part in the roadshow are The World of James Herriot centre at Thirsk, Thirsk Museum, Kiplin Hall, the Green Howards Museum and Richmondshire Museum.

The flying showcase is a joint project between Hambleton District Council and Richmondshire District Council and has been funded by a £1,000 grant from the Yorkshire Museum Council.