TALENTED volunteers who create authentic costumes to help Wiltshire Museum come alive for young visitors have been thanked for their work.

The museum in Long Street, Devizes, now has a fine array of Tudor costumes thanks to work done by a team from the National Association of Decorative Fine Arts.

They have created rail upon rail of clothes that boys and girls can try on during visits to the museum.

Publicity officer Jo Hutchings said: "Here at the Wiltshire Museum we have a positive army of volunteers, and we simply wouldn't be able to do what we do without them.

"The Team of NADFAS volunteers have been creating exquisite Tudor costumes for children to try on in our Devizes gallery. There are several rails of cloaks and tunics that have been created by these talented volunteers.

"So to say thank you the museum laid on tea and cakes and took them on a tour of its prehistoric galleries."

But the fire arts volunteers are only one of a number of people who give their time up to support the museum.

Mrs Hutchings said: "Volunteering can be a great way to build kills and confidence especially if you are interested in seeking experience of working in museums or with the general public.

"You don’t have to be a specialist to volunteer, but what you will need is an enthusiasm for the museum and its collections. It’s about being a friendly, helpful person who is interested in the visitors as well as the collections. As a volunteer in these roles you’ll be welcoming visitors of all ages and encouraging them to enjoy their time at the museum.

"If people are interested then they can find information on the website."

At the moment the museum has vacancies for volunteers to work on reception and as a gallery guide.

The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies is a leading arts charity which works to advance decorative and fine arts education and appreciation, alongside promoting the conservation of our artistic heritage.

Members can become involved in conservation volunteering projects in churches, museums, castles and historic houses. Our church recorders, young arts, church trails and heritage volunteers offer invaluable help to many public institutions, enhancing and encouraging the appreciation and understanding of art and artistic heritage.

The north Wiltshire branch meets at 11am on the first Wednesday of each month, except August and September, at The Assembly Hall, Melksham.

A spokesman said: "Apart from the lecture programme at the heart of our society, we also run study days, visits and opera trips, hold craft exhibitions and book sales, we do church recording, volunteering for heritage projects, and run young arts projects in local schools."