Historical artefacts from Ilkley could be lost to the town unless talks this month come up with plans for the future of Ilkley’s Manor House Museum, it is feared.

Concern is growing that Bradford Council might withdraw staff and close the Ilkley museum as part of proposed cuts, unless an agreement for community management is reached.

Further talks are due to take place this month, it has been revealed, as Bradford Council seeks to hand over the management of the museum to the community.

Councillors and supporters of the museum were told the museum could be “mothballed” by Bradford Council if no group comes forward to take it over.

The Museum on Castle Yard, on the site of a Roman fort, houses Roman and prehistoric finds and exhibits donated by residents.

But Bradford Council, which is consulting on its proposals for 2014 to 2016, has yet to announce what is to become of the Manor House if it is not successfully transferred to community management as planned.

Chairman of supporters group Friends of the Manor House, John Cockshott, told Ilkley Parish Council: “Withdrawal of all professional staff could mean loss of museum accreditation, so potentially diversion to Bradford central stores of Ilkley artefacts.”