A unique West Cumbrian museum is once more facing the threat of closure.

Maryport's Maritime Museum was saved several years ago from the brink by the local community but now, due to a lack of volunteers it again faces an uncertain future.

Spokeswoman Linda Wyatt said: "Due to the retirement of board members and insufficient volunteers to fill the gaps or staff the front desk, the museum is faced with the possibility of closure.

"We urgently need people of all ages, experience and background to come forward."

The museum is small but contains a wealth of history about the town's shipbuilding and shipping industry as well as family histories, the town's links to the Titanic and a record of those who earned a slice of fame.

In 2010, when Allerdale council announced it could no longer support museums, the maritime museum suffered a double blow. Not only would it lose valuable funding but there were major health and safety concerns about the building which had previously been one of the first pubs in the town.

The Maryport Maritime Heritage Society held emergency public meetings and the town got behind efforts to save this important piece of history.

They were backed by the Maryport Town Council, the Times & Star and was helped towards museum accreditation by the Senhouse Roman Museum and the Liverpool Maritime Museum.

In January 2011 it was announced that Allerdale would keep ownership of the museum's collection, pay insurance and support the museum with day to day costs.

But now the museum has hit another crisis, this time through a lack of volunteers.

Linda Wyatt added that the group is not looking for expertise.

She said:" All you need is an interest in Maryport and its heritage and a few hours a week to spare, although we would also like people with accounting, admin and IT skills.

"We can promise you the satisfaction of learning more about your home town, meeting visitors from all over the world and helping Maryport people and businesses to benefit from this popular tourist attraction."

For more information visit: www.maryportmaritimemuseum.co.uk or email maritime.linda@gmail.com