Former Prime Minister, Sir John Major has been announced as a patron for the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon.

Sir John will join the board of trustees in an honorary capacity.

The day-to-day running of the museum is about to transfer to a charitable trust, with ownership also passing from Cambridgeshire County Council to Huntingdon Town Council.

Trustees of the museum include Allen Packwood current Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly, Erika Clegg, Camilla Nichol and Peter Johnson, who is chairman.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s head of community and cultural services, Christine May said: “Sir John has said that the cause of the museum is one which he would be glad to support. We’re delighted to have him on board in this honorary capacity as we move forward with plans for the charitable trust.”

An independent charitable trust is being set up to run the museum from next year and is already actively working to build its volunteer base.

Anyone interested in registering their interest to help can visit the museum, or get in touch on cromwellmuseum@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone 01480 375830.

Sir John’s political connection with Huntingdon goes back to 1979, when he was first elected to Parliament. He remained MP for Huntingdon until his retirement in 2001.