Keswick Museum has launched an exciting dedicated volunteer case to help diversify collections at the museum.

The Cumbrian hotspot recently introduced the idea of a volunteer case, so any interested volunteers can put together their own displays using objects from their collection.

Museum director Joseph Massey said: "I’m thrilled that our volunteers can now put their favourite objects on display and can share the research they’ve been doing with our visitors. It means that there’s more to see at the museum and it really shows how varied and interesting our collection is."

The first display has been organised by Sam, who was intrigued to learn that the Poet Laureate Robert Southey – despite living in Keswick for 40 years – was also passionate about Portugal and spent decades researching Portuguese history.

Southey wanted to write a complete history of Portugal but kept being diverted by other projects until it was too late.

Joseph added: "Sam’s display shows another side of Southey’s writing career that people don’t know about and it really compliments our new ‘Reimaging Goldilocks’ exhibition.

"Sam’s display will be up until early June and our volunteers have been so keen to create their own displays that the case is booked until early 2025. If anyone would be interested in volunteering with us, we’d be happy to hear from them."