Charles Dickens Museum to shut for 200th anniversary year

The Charles Dickens Museum in central London has defended its decision to close for a revamp during the 200th anniversary year of the author's birth.

The author's former home will shut on 10 April, also ahead of the Olympic Games when many tourist attractions are expecting boosted visitor numbers.

The museum has been awarded a Heritage Lottery grant of £2m.

Museum manager Shannon Hermes said the money was only available for a limited time and they had to seize the chance....