BEWDLEY Museum is set to reopen for its 2017 season next month with entertainment to celebrate.

The Museum will reopen to visitors on Saturday, March 4, and to celebrate the opening there will be entertainment throughout the day, including live music from Naomi Hart's Hotsy-Totsy band.

The Museum is looking forward to a busy year with a packed programme of events, exhibitions and workshops planned.

The first exhibition this year, at the Museum's Wyre Forest Gallery will focus on Load Street. There will be previously unseen photographs on display giving an insight into the shop fronts of Bewdley over the past 150 years.

During the winter months, a number of improvements have been undertaken to the Shambles area and a new display has been installed - featuring all things relating to policing in the town including the old lamp from the police station. The displays on the fire service and butchers have also been expanded.

A new exciting development for the Museum is that is has been licenced to hold weddings in the Guildhall and Green Theatre.

Upcoming events in the year include an Easter Egg hunt, a production of David Walliams' 'Billionaire Boy', the Spring Fair and an outdoor concert by Tenuto.

Last year was the Museum's most successful yet, with more than 190,000 visitors to the attraction - which is managed by Wyre Forest District Council.

Councillor Juliet Smith, Wyre Forest District Council cabinet member for housing, health and well-being, said: "We are delighted that the Museum is more popular than ever and we are looking forward to welcoming more visitors this year.

"We have a small team who run the Museum and are helped by volunteers and the Friends of Bewdley Museum.

"They are doing a great job and providing a wonderful attraction which is free for visitors."

Cllr Smith added: "We are particularly pleased that the Museum is now a venue where couples can get married and hold their wedding receptions.

"This wedding venue is in addition to Kidderminster Town Hall."

For more information, visit the Museum's website bewdleymuseum.co.uk.