GATES which have been widened to allow modern coaches to enter the Bowes museum were officially opened this week, following a reception in the Spanish Gallery.

The intricate main gates of the museum in Barnard Castle, which are listed by English Heritage, were redesigned by the county council, using the original drawings of French architect Jules Pellechet.

The £120,000 scheme, which remodelled railings and created new entry and exit gates, was undertaken by blacksmith Mr Brian Russell and his team at Little Newsham forge, near Staindrop.

Council leader Coun Don Robson said things were changing at the Bowes. On finance, he said in the past money had to be competed for and the new trust was a step forward, giving an opportunity to bring in new expertise. "It will make it possible to apply for money which local government is not allowed to," he added.

One of the county council's last efforts had been to get buses through the gates, and he hoped to have the museum recognised as a national attraction, not just a county one.

He introduced Lord Eccles, chairman of the Bowes museum company, an independent charitable trust formed in August, who said the partnership between the charitable company and the council was most significant for the museum's future. He thanked the council for organising and raising funds for the gates and paid tribute to the craftsmanship of Mr Russell. The work had been superbly done: "It has maintained the heritage 100pc as well as offering a practical solution to the bus problem," he said.

The museum had collections of international importance, and the internet would provide opportunities for developing international potential. The trust was recruiting new people which would bring the board up to 12, offering a wide variety of professional skills.

He paid tribute to curator Mrs Elizabeth Conran who he said had kept the show on the road and would be retiring shortly but it was hoped to use her knowledge in a consultancy capacity. A short list for a new director had been drawn up and he hoped an appointment would be made before Christmas.

The ceremony was also attended by the town's MP Mr Derek Foster and representatives of the funding bodies including Mr John Wearmouth, chairman of CDENT, and Friends' chairman, Lesley Taylor.

See the arts page for a review of the latest exhibition