Willenhall’s historic Lock Museum has closed its doors to the public.

Scores of supporters and campaigners were due to descend on the New Road attraction this afternoon, in a final show of support for the under-fire museum.

The grade two listed Locksmith’s House has helped visitors unlock the history of Willenhall’s famous industrial heritage since 1987.

It will now only open for pre-booked visits, arranged through its owners Black Country Living Museum (BCLM).

Stan Taylor, chairman of Friends of Willenhall Lock Museum – set up in a bid to save the museum – believes it is a sad day for the town but all was not lost.

Mr Taylor, a former trustee of the museum, said: “It is a sad day but we are still exploring all the possible options.

“We have another meeting set for January with Walsall Council, where we will see if we can come up with any more firm plans to decide its future.”

The fate of the attraction, which was also once home to well-known Willenhall drapers the Hodson sisters, has been hanging in the balance since Walsall Council withdrew its annual £12,000 funding earlier this year.

A bid by new owners BCLM to move the Locksmiths House brick-by-brick to its Tipton Road site was blocked by English Heritage.

Leading Black Country historian Carl Chinn has also added his voice to those calling for the museum to be saved.

He said: “Willenhall was the lock making capital of the world. It made a massive impact on the world. he museum should be saved and invested in.”

The building is made up of a house, which has been restored into a typical Victorian home, and two workshops, built in the 1840s.

The museum traces the town’s lockmaking heritage right back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when local companies were commissioned to make all the locks for the royal household.