Work to build a garden room at Workington’s Helena Thompson Museum to help it become more self-sufficient could take a step forward next month.

Companies interested in carrying out the building work at the Park End Road museum were due to submit their bids to Allerdale council by yesterday. (Thurs).

If suitable bids have been lodged, the council's ruling executive committee will look to appoint a contractor at its June meeting.

The planned garden room is designed to bring more weddings and other functions to the museum, allowing it to generate its own income and rely less on grants.

If a contractor is appointed next month, the work should be carried out during this financial year.

The grade two* listed Georgian house was bequeathed to the people of Workington by the late Helena Thompson.

It is home to a museum collection reflecting the history, industry, culture and social life of the area and is run by Workington Heritage Group on behalf of the council, which owns it.

Alongside the museum collection, the venue hosts a range of functions, concerts and events, and educational outreach projects.

The council is exploring the possibility of handing control of the museum to Workington Town Council in the future.

Councillor Bill Jefferson, executive member responsible for tourism and culture, said: "I believe it should go into Workington Town Council ownership or at least control.

"This is a Workington asset. That's where it should be controlled."