THE Press’s Save The NRM petition will be handed today to York’s two MPs after being signed by more than 12,500 people.

York Central Labour MP Hugh Bayley and York Outer Tory MP Julian Sturdy agreed to receive the petition jointly to signify all-party support.

It will be presented to the Government early next week, before the Chancellor’s crucial spending statement on Wednesday.

Museum bosses warned earlier this month that the museum could shut if funding was cut by another ten per cent, but ministers have since indicated the cuts will not be that bad.

About 1,000 signatures have been collected by Choo Chews cafe at Selby Railway station, and more than 100 at Micklegate Post Office in York, where sub-postmistress Lesley Abbott said: “The museum means a lot to the people of York, it’s just like the Minster.”

Meanwhile, Mr Bayley has said it is vital the museum gets capital funding of between £2 million and £2.5 million so it can carry out essential maintenance works, such as repairing the roof.

“The Minister says the museum will not close but it’s not yet out of the woods,” he said.

“The museum needs sufficient money to restore and preserve the precious objects in its collection.”