THE Museum of Dartmoor Life in?Okehampton is gearing up for its opening for the new season with some new ideas and faces to bring in visitors.

The museum opens again on March 23. A new management team has been appointed who will provide an updated resource and heritage centre for local residents, and promote the museum to encourage visitors to experience 5,000 years of Dartmoor's history.

A series of exhibitions will be held throughout the season, starting with 'Life of a River', an imaginative exploration of the River Swincombe using sound, images and poetry. The exhibition will run until Saturday, April 27.

During the year local artists will be able to display and sell their paintings while the museum shop is being stocked with local crafts and gifts, providing some unique examples of local handicrafts.

There will be a continuous programme of events throughout the year, including displays by local crafters, junior workshops and open days with children's competitions.

The museum relies on a dedicated team of volunteers and welcomes anyone who has a few hours to spare each week. The next training and induction day for volunteers is Friday, March 15 at 10am, with everyone welcome to come along.

The museum is also launching a website which is being developed to give details of the annual programme as well as information about research facilities, exhibits and the collection. The new website can be found at http://www.museumofdartmoorlife.org.uk">www.museumofdartmoorlife.org.uk

Museum of Dartmoor Life manager Andrew Thompson said: 'The museum has recently undergone an important accreditation process with the Arts Council, which underpins the trustees' vision to ensure the museum is a centre for lifelong learning, and will re-establish itself as a vibrant centre of local community life to be enjoyed by everyone.

'The new management team is especially keen to encourage local residents and families to enjoy the museum, and informative tours can be arranged throughout the year to provide a more personal insight to the history of Dartmoor, Okehampton and the local area.'

The museum, shop and gallery will be open Monday to Friday from 10.15am to 4.15pm, and on Saturdays from 10.15am to 1pm. For more information call 01837 52295.