A museum is waiving its entry fees for the first time in its history in a bid to encourage local people through the door.

Salcombe Maritime Museum opens its doors on Monday, April 1, and for the first time in its 45 year history, entry will be free to all visitors through the entire season.

The museum is popular with holidaymakers and receives positive reviews but, according to the museum’s curator, Roger Barrett, “local people rather tend to take us for granted and so we are hoping that the free entry scheme will attract more locals through the door”.

He added: “This should help to raise awareness of the museum’s importance to the town and increase the scope for recruiting more volunteers to help run it.”

Last year the museum, which is just below the Tourist Information Centre in Market Street, was open every day between April to October between 10.30am and 12.30pm and then 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

In order to keep the same hours this year, more stewards are needed for the two-hour shifts. Most volunteers commit to between two and four shifts a month.

Training is given and the only requirement for anyone wishing to join the team is an interest in local history and an enthusiastic approach to welcoming and helping visitors.

Roger is also hoping to recruit people with organisational skills to join the small management team. For more information, email Roger at: [email protected] or phone him on 01548 854108. He would be delighted to show you round.

This year’s special exhibition in the museum is entitled ‘Salcombe Lifeboats: 150 Years of Saving Lives at Sea’ and has been prepared in conjunction with Salcombe RNLI.