A petition has been delivered to Shire Hall demanding Cambridgeshire County Council rethinks its plans to axe funding for the Cromwell Museum.

The Friends of the Cromwell Museum have led a campaign to seek assurances over the Huntingdon asset’s future finances, after the county proposed scrapping its financial support.

Group members handed over the petition, signed by more than 3,000 people, this afternoon to county council leader Councillor Martin Curtis and cabinet member for education and learning, Councillor David Harty.

Under the authority’s rules, the petition, having exceeded the 3,000-signature mark, will force a debate on the matter.

Cllr Harty said: “We’d like to thank the Cromwell campaign for bringing the petition to us.

“We will now use this interest from the community to debate the issue of the future of the museum at Full Council on February 18.

“We continue to work with the Friends of the Cromwell Museum to explore options of alternative management – and we hope the strength of feeling shown through this petition can be used to achieve this goal.”

As part of its business plan, due to be agreed on February 18, the county has suggested it can make annual savings, starting with £20,000 in 2015/16, if it withdraws the museum’s funding.

An externally funded review of future options for running the High Street attraction has been commissioned, but is not due to report its findings until April.

Campaigners want the county to postpone any decision on funding until after the review has been completed.