Axminster Heritage Centre has closed today following the government announcement that Devon was entering Tier 3 of coronavirus restrictions.

Centre manager Nigel Sadler said: "We had been planning for the best and were looking forward to welcoming local residents into the centre for free on December 31.

"I am disappointed that we are ending this year and beginning a new one with conditions such as this, but rest assured that as soon as it is safe to do so we will once again be welcoming you all back to the museum.

"At heart we are a community museum and we would like to express our gratitude to our local community for their unending support throughout 2020.

"Our immediate priority has always been the health and welfare of our volunteers and visitors and we believe it is vital that we all follow government restrictions to help stop the spread of this deadly new strain of coronavirus."

While this means you won't be able to visit the museum you can still interact with the Heritage Centre through their active social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest on the centre and the history of the town, including the popular Axminster Heritage Blue Plaque Trail.

Find out more in the Axminster Heritage Centre Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.