The Bowes Museum, in County Durham, has announced that former MP Derek Foster, now Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland, has become its new Chairman.

He succeeds Viscount Eccles who first took up the position seven years ago.

As the new Chairman he is expected to steer the Museum towards international recognition and is hopeful that its multi-million pound re-development, which is ongoing for the next few years and will include new gallery spaces, will make it an attraction that offers something for all groups.