A museum which has been a central attraction for tourists and locals alike for 35 years is set to be closed to general visitors for the winter.

Cromer Museum, based in Church Street in the town, will close its doors from 1 November 2014 and will reopen on 1 March 2015.

The nine part-time staff at the museum were told the news at a meeting on Thursday .

The move means the museum, which has had 18,280 visitors for 2013/14 so far, will be closed for general visitors, with the exception of its normal events' programme.

Steve Miller,head of Norfolk Museums Service at Norfolk County Council, said the move had come as a result of reduction in income for Cromer Museum.

He said: 'We needed to look at new ways of working so we could make essential savings and ensure the museum had a sustainable future and continued to deliver a quality service.'

He stressed they had listened to staff and as a result they had been able to reduce the length of time the museum is closed during the quiet season by one month from the original proposal.

He also said that the decision meant they could preserve the museum's learning programme and community outreach work, both of which would continue all year round.

He also said that around 75pc of annual visits to the museum took place between April and October.

He added: 'We are extending the community outreach work to reach more rural communities than is currently possible and our award-winning schools' programme and exciting programme of public events remain unchanged.'