Long-term solution sought after raiders strike twice to steal lightning conductors from The Bowes Museum (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Long-term solution sought after raiders strike twice to steal lightning conductors from The Bowes Museum

5:40pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Stuart Laundy, Reporter (Barnard Castle & Teesdale)

A LONG-term solution is being sought after 10 lightning conductors were twice stolen from a County Durham museum.

The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, is to trial an 'armoured' model in the coming weeks after thieves targeted traditional copper lightning conductors.

The museum's insurers have been updated on the situation after fears were voiced about the danger posed from lightning if there were no conductors on the building.

Conservation officer Jon Old said: “We are definitely not being complacent, and I have in fact been looking at the risks in more detail.”

Mr Old said the museum's electrical contractor was making the armoured conductor, which is due to be fitted next month.

If it proves a successful they will be used to replace all 10.

“Replacing them with copper seems pointless as they are vandalised within weeks,” said Mr Old.

The museum was purpose built by John and Josephine Bowes in the late 19th century and attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually to its wide-ranging exhibitions.