ANDOVER'S museum curator for the last 23 years, David Allen, has moved on to a new job.

After caring for the town's legacy for more than two decades he has gone to work in Winchester as the senior keeper of archaeology for Hampshire museum and archive service.

During his employment David was involved in two major innovations at the museum in Andover's Church Close - The Story of Andover exhibition and the Museum of the Iron Age.

"People do not always realise what fantastic history exists in Andover and what the area around has to offer," he said.

He also created the local Young Archa-eology Club and worked closely with other groups including Friends of the Andover Museum, Andover History and Archaeological Society and Test Valley Borough Council.

Apart from overseeing collections, he has had the challenge of increasing visitor numbers too.

"When the national curriculum decided history began with the Romans, school visits dropped," he said.

The museum's response was to offer it as a venue to groups such as the Workers Educational Association and the University of the Third Age.

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.