A COMPROMISE has been reached that could safeguard the future of a North Yorkshire museum.

Bosses from Richmondshire District Council and Richmondshire Museum fell out last year after the council announced plans to sell 33 Frenchgate, in Richmond.

The museum uses space at the rear of the building for storage.

Volunteers who run the visitor attraction said the rooms were vital for its survival.

But the council said it no longer needed the building, after moving staff to other offices in the town.

The authority also needs the proceeds of the sale to finance its proposed move to Colburn.

On Saturday, the museum and council announced that an agreement had been reached over the future of the building.

After talks took place on how to divide the property, it was agreed that the museum would receive the warehouse, glory hole, room five, the toilets and store room.

The museum will lease the space for a nominal fee.

The council will get the yard at the rear of the building.

Areas of the property not rented to the museum will be divided off and marketed for residential use as two homes.

Mike Wood, chairman of the museum, said: "Retaining the use of vital space at 33 Frenchgate was crucial for our survival as a valuable asset for the whole community.

"We were very worried about losing the space that we have occupied for many years, but now, after several months of discussion we have managed to find a mutually beneficial solution."

Councillor Yvonne Peacock, chairman of the resource committee, said: "Maximising the revenue from the sale of 33 Frenchgate is of course important to the council.

"However, the council also sees the importance of supporting the museum and I am pleased a compromise situation has been possible in this case."

Museum bosses had threatened to claim squatters' rights on the building.

They said they had never been charged rent by the district council for the two rooms they first occupied in 1978.

In response, the council published a breakdown of financial help totalling more than £70,000 it says it gave the museum.