Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for South Lakeland, has urged the government and local authorities to help safeguard the future of a museum in Ambleside, Cumbria.

Armitt Museum, which houses a collection of works by artist Kurt Schwitters and author Beatrix Potter, requires a £10,000 cash injection by the middle of March in order to remain open.

Farron has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons to call on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England and local authorities to provide the necessary funding to safeguard the museum.

A campaign launched by local newspaper, the Westmorland Gazette has received the backing of Farron, who tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons to call on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England and local authorities to provide the necessary funding.

Farron said: "If the Armitt Museum were to close, it would represent a massive blow to the local community and would instantly take away one of South Lakeland's most iconic cultural attractions. Keeping the collection together and keeping it here is an absolute must.

"£10,000 really is a drop in the ocean for the Government. I'm hopeful that the Department of Culture Media and Sport, the Arts Council and local authorities in Cumbria will provide the funding needed to save the Armitt museum."

Armitt Museum also boasts a number of Roman artefacts and more than 25,000 photographs, including images by JW Brunskill and Herbert Bell.