Malton Museum has reported a successful year thanks to the efforts of its team of volunteers.

The museum, based in Yorkersgate, has seen an increase in profits and also secured its premises for the next four years,

Malton Museum Chair Phil Crabtree, said: "It’s been a really great year and is a fantastic tribute to all the hard work provided by our volunteers.

"Our volunteers contributed over 6,500 hours of their time to the Museum's activities - a remarkable effort."

Phil added: "Twelve months ago the Museum set out two key targets; to improve our finances following the pandemic and to secure a new home for the Museum. There has been good progress towards both objectives.

"After making a loss in two of the last four year and seeing a drastic fall in income during the pandemic the Museum will be able to report a profit for 2022/23.

"In common with many other museums visitor numbers were down compared pre pandemic times. But, this was more than offset by our work with schools and community groups, popular walking tours and a highly successful Roman Festival which attracted over 1,000 visitors from all over North Yorkshire and beyond."

The Museum also benefited from grant support from Ryedale District Council, Malton and Norton Town Councils, Museum Development Yorkshire, Malton CIC, the Museum Friend, the Storey Family Trust and other private donations.

This allowed income to double during the year and the museum was able to invest in a new visual display screen, and digital equipment to record the collections and in due course be able to display more items on the Museum website.

Phil said: "We have also benefited from the support from Malton based Map Archaeological Practice who have promised support for the new interpretation panels to be erected at Norton Primary school to tell the story of the historic Roman civilian settlement . In conjunction with Persimmon Homes, MAP’s Director, Paula Ware also facilitated the loan of the iron age Pocklington shield to the Museum. This has attracted record numbers of visitors to the Museum from all over Yorkshire and wider afield.

"Important progress has also been made in securing the Museums home for the next few years. The licence with the Milton Rooms has been extended until 2027 and this will provide important stability for the Museum whilst it searches for a new long term home.

"With the aid of the Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estate the lease on the collection storage areas has also been extended and the Estate has continued to provide great support for the Museum in many other ways - not least with a much larger Roman Festival which will take place on Orchard Fields on July 23."

Malton Museum's AGM will take place at the Talbot Hotel at 2pm on May 24 . Members, Friends of the Museum , volunteers and other supporters are welcome to attend.