LOCAL museums have welcomed the announcement that they will soon be able to re-open.

Prime Minister Boris Johnstone yesterday announced that museums and galleries, along with bars, restaurants, and cinemas, could reopen from July 4 - although they will still have to implement social distancing measures.

Museums will now be preparing to open their doors for the first time since mid March.

Bradford Council runs four museums and galleries - Cliffe Castle in Keighley, Bradford Industrial Museum in Eccleshill, Bolling Hall Museum in Bowling and Cartwright Hall in Manningham.

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After yesterday's news a Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “We welcome this government announcement.

“The wellbeing of customers and staff is our top priority and we are investigating how we can open safely and as soon as possible following the guidance which will come from government.”

A spokesman for the National Science and Media Museum, which is based in Bradford city centre, said: "We welcome today’s announcement from the Prime Minister to allow the safe reopening of museums and galleries to the public this summer.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors back to our museum and cinemas, and will share more details soon."