RESPONSIBILTY for Hampshire’s museums is to be switched to a cultural trust this Saturday. 

Council bosses have handed the keys of the county’s treasures to an independent organisation in a bid to raise more funding as public finances dwindle. 

They hope newly-formed Hampshire Cultural Trust will be able to generate extra investment, grants and donations.

It comes as the county council moves ahead with cuts that will see its finances reduced by 30 per cent since 2008.  

County council chief executive Andrew Smith last week warned it was unlikely public finances would improve for “many, many years to come”. 

Museums run by Winchester City Council will also be handed over to the trust, although those in Southampton will continue to be run by its city council.