VISITORS to museums across Huddersfield could be forced to pay entrance charges – to help keep a historic venue open.

Kirklees Council officials last week proposed shutting Red House Museum, which is closely linked to 19th Century author Charlotte Bronte.

Last night Labour councillors promised to keep the Gomersal tourist attraction open – even if it meant charging admission to other museums in the area.

Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan said: “We have proposed to save Red House Museum. It is an important part of our history and we want to look at more innovative ways of generating the income needed to keep it running, or look at how we might make the saving elsewhere.”

Kirklees needs to find £116,000 a year to keep Red House open.

Clr Khan said the money could come from charging for entry to other attractions – including Tolson Museum in Moldgreen, Oakwell Hall at Birstall, Dewsbury Museum and Bagshaw House in Batley.

“There’s the potential of charging for Red House,” he said.

“If that doesn’t raise the revenue required to keep it open then we will look at other options, including charges elsewhere, or using the venues for functions like weddings.”

Last week Kirklees officers revealed their proposal to cut £15.7m from next year’s council budget to cope with the public spending squeeze.

Labour last night unveiled its amendments, which would reduce spending by £455,000 less than officers have proposed.