New-look Ironbridge museum is given the thumbs up

The museum, one of 10 of the Ironbridge Gorge, was closed for three weeks for the works, which came about after a year-long funding campaign.

Museum curator Gillian Crumpton said: "We did all the behind-the-scenes work while the museum was still open and it was shut during June. It was quite a quick turnaround for a museum development project."

Mrs Crumpton, who also curates the museum at Coalbrookdale, central Ironbridge and Jackfield, said the Museum of the Gorge, on the bank of the River Severn, offered a flavour of all the area's museums.

"It's really a taster of the whole of the Ironbridge Gorge," she added. "It gives you a flavour of all the different industries in the area and how they are connected, and why this area grew."

The museum, a former warehouse built in the 1830s for iron awaiting transport on the River Severn, was first opened in 1977.

With support from Art Happens and 168 donors from across the country, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has reorganised the display in new cases with better explanation panels and new lighting and sound equipment.

The 40ft model of the Ironbridge Gorge remains at the centre of the museum's displays. Other objects include examples of tiles, ceramics and cast-iron objects that were made in the Gorge, and interactive displays for younger visitors.

Mrs Crumpton said the museum had not been offering "a cohesive story" and was looking out of date, particularly with its lighting.

Paul Gossage, spokesman for the museum, said it was ideally situated in and provided a good "jumping-on" point for visitors. As well as explaining the history of the area and why it is a UNSECO World Heritage Site, the museum also gives information on local amenities.