GREENOCK’S McLean Museum and Watt Library complex is set to undergo a £2m refurbishment — which will see the establishment closed for up to two years.

The doors will shut next month to allow for emergency repairs to the building’s parapets and towers, plus window replacement, roof repairs and treatment for wet rot.

High-value and fragile exhibits and artefacts are to be moved into safe storage while the work is carried out.

Where possible as many archives, books and objects will be left on site in areas unaffected by the building work.

Inverclyde Council is investing £1.8 million towards the refurbishment work alongside a £287,000 grant from Historic Environment Scotland.

Councillor Martin Brennan said: “Although the museum and art gallery was refurbished in 1990, the Watt Library has never had any refurbishment.

“The collections of the Watt Library and McLean Museum are of national and international significance and some would argue their value, both monetary and historically, surpasses that of the building.

“It is therefore essential that we conserve and safeguard these important collections by ensuring the Watt Complex is safe and watertight.”

The work is expected to take between 18 months and two years to complete.

The council says it will try to provide some of the museum and library’s services elsewhere during the closure. A range of heritage, museum and library resources are available online at www.mcleanmuseum.pastperfectonline.com and www.inverclyde.gov.uk/libraries