January is normally a quiet month for museums

Managers at Abbey Pumping Station say on one weekend in January it was even more popular than the neighbouring National Space Centre.

Despite January traditionally being a quiet month for museums, the pumping station says more than 5,500 visitors came through its doors last month.

Staff and volunteers say this shows visitors still want it open.

Sell off

Two events held at the end of the month - The Spirit of Meccano and Steam Toys in Action - brought in more than 2,500.

But managers say the council still wants to close the museum despite its success.

As part of budget cuts, the city council wants to sell off storage space around the city and concentrate stock in the Station Gallery and Storehouse.

The pump house would be the only area still open to the public and visitor days cut to 3 or 4 days a week.