Diana shrine to close as interest wanes

The Princess Diana museum at her childhood home of Althorp is to close because of falling ticket sales.

Her brother Earl Spencer has decided to shut the exhibition featuring some of her clothes, school reports and letters.

The museum in the grounds of the Spencers' Northamptonshire estate was set up after the Princess's death in 1997 and drew 150,000 visitors paying £10.50 each in its first year and 140,000 in 2000. Last year 80,000 tickets were sold.

Earl Spencer's decision is said to have been finalised when he visited the Diana memorial fountain, which was opened this week in Hyde Park, after concluding that it would replace the museum as a focus for his sister's life. One source said Earl Spencer "has not taken the decision lightly". The source added: "But he realises things have moved on. There is not the level of interest there once was. It was never meant to be permanent." A final closure date has not yet been set.

Princes Harry and William have agreed with the decision and will receive the bulk of the items.