A RALLY against the possible closure of the National Railway Museum will be staged at lunchtime on Saturday .

York council leader James Alexander, urged anyone who has ever visited the museum or values it to take part. He said: “We need to show how serious an issue this is for York as a city.”

The demonstration, which takes place at noon outside the museum’s city entrance near the rear entrance to York Railway Station, comes after it emerged last week that the NRM - or one of its two sister museums in the north - was likely to shut if the Government presses ahead with more funding cuts.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley has agreed to speak and York Outer MP Julian Sturdy has been invited to speak, said Coun Alexander: He said: “The National Railway Museum has widespread support locally, nationally and internationally. The idea of it closing is difficult I think for most people to imagine, and I believe Saturday’s event will highlight the strength of public feeling in support of keeping it open for the nation’s education and enjoyment.

“The educational benefits and the role the museum plays within the wider York economy cannot be underestimated. Nor can its role in the advancement of science and technology both within the city and within a national economic context.

“Such is the mass appeal and varied benefits of this nationally important museum, any decision which resulted in its closure would haunt the Government for years to come. I hope it sees sense before it is too late and gets around a table with the Science Museum Group; a solution has to be found.”

He said that following speeches, there would be an opportunity to visit the museum to show further support.

The rally comes as hundreds of people continue to sign The Press’ Save the NRM petition.

Meanwhile, leaders from across the Leeds City Region are calling for the NRM to be funded by a different Government department - which they say might open up new sources of cash.

The leaders, who include York leader James Alexander, have said in a letter to Chancellor George Osborne that funding for the parent organisation, the Science Museum Group, should move from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Coun Alexander said the latter department had a £13 million ‘science and society’ programme and spent its money on a plethora of initiatives, but not on the Science Museum Group.

“This does not make sense because the science museums are trusted by the public and teachers and have the best experience of presenting science with the greatest impact and reach across the country.”