WORK to refurbish skylights will see the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum closed for at least three months this autumn.

The Victorian house, which was completed in 1901, has four Edwardian stained glass skylights above its galleries which need to be cleaned and set in a new frame due to damage caused by the salty sea breeze.

Also, the charity is planning to install UV filters in the roof, which will provide better protection from sunlight for the museum's own collection of paintings and antiquities, as well as any on loan from other institutions.

The work will start in September.

A report to the museum's management committee states: "Work will be carried out on one gallery at a time, starting with Gallery 1.

"The glass will be cleaned and replaced as needed and a new roof structure created for each gallery with appropriate UV filters.

"The result will be that all temporary internal fabric screens and external tarpaulins will be removed so that the galleries will look significantly better and the filters will ensure better protection from UV light for our own collection and for any material borrowed."

The work is among several measures required bring the museum's facilities up to scratch so it can apply to join the Government Indemnity Scheme, which provides cost-free indemnity cover for the loss of or damage to valuable loaned items.

It would allow the Russell-Cotes to host works of significantly higher value from other collections outside the country, or from private lenders within the UK. The scheme does not apply to other UK museums and galleries.

The museum has received a grant of £132,453 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Wolfson Foundation to carry out the work, which must have planning permission from the government before it can take place.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, who was cabinet member for tourism, culture and the arts at the time the grant was awarded, said it "signifies a major step forward in the improvement of these beautiful Edwardian galleries and the development of a major Bournemouth landmark".

Further work planned will improve environmental conditions within the house, as well as security.