LEDBURY Heritage Centre will stay open for the new tourist season, despite a Herefordshire Council decision to pull the plug on funding.

Budget cuts by the authority mean that resources to maintain Ledbury Heritage Centre are no longer available.

But the former grammar school building, in Church Street, has been taken under the wing of volunteers with the Ledbury Civic Society.

It is one of six key buildings that the Society hopes to save and utilise to the full, under the "Ledbury Places" project.

Ledbury Civic Society spokesperson, Chris Johnson said: We have agreed a license with Herefordshire Council to run the Heritage Centre in 2014.

"Volunteers, numbering over 40, will continue their dedicated work in running the Centre. They have rallied magnificently following a meeting in February when they agreed to take responsibility for most of the administration, including the duty rota and relief list, stock taking and cleaning.

"We cannot thank everyone involved enough for the support they have shown, but particular thanks go to Sally Holliday, Bob Littlefair and Alan Pike. The Ledbury Civic Society is facilitating the Heritage Centre opening and will meet the costs from sales and donations."

Seen here, volunteers wait to offer visitors a warm welcome.