Concerns as shipwreck museum put up for sale

Historians are hoping to keep artefacts from a Cornish museum in the local area after the site was put up for sale.

The Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown - which contains more than 7,000 items - has been put on the market for £1.95m by owner Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project.

The proposed sale has sparked fears about the site's future and its artefacts, particularly those with strong connections to the village.

A museum spokesperson said it is reviewing all artefacts from the site and hoped some items with "specific heritage interest to Charlestown" will stay in the village.

The museum has one of the largest collections of its kind in the UK, with artefacts recovered from shipwrecks including the Mary Rose and the Titanic.

Local artefacts including a bell from the old Charlestown estate are also at the site.

Lyndon Allen, who runs Charlestown Walking Tours, said he was negotiating with the museum's owners to take some of the artefacts.

He said it would be a sad day if the items were taken away from the area when the site is sold.

"I'm just hopeful that something productive will come along," Mr Allen said.

Cornish historian Elizabeth Dale said it was a huge shame to see the museum being put up for sale.

She added items which were donated by local groups and families should not be sold off.

Ms Dale said: "It's sad for Charlestown on a local level, but it's sad for Cornwall as a whole because we're losing a wonderful museum."

The museum's bosses said it was looking to find suitable new homes for the artefacts.

"We hope that some items with specific heritage interest to Charlestown will remain within the community and are working with various organisations and partners to enable this," a museum spokesperson said.

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