A national treasure set to close?

The Telegraph reports that  Louis Tussuads House of Wax in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk is closing, It has cult status on the internet because so many of its models look nothing like the people they are supposed to represent.

Thousands of visitors still pay (pounds) 5 each to visit the seaside attraction so they can mock the far from lifelike models of celebrities, sports stars and Royalty.

Jane Hayes, 82, and her husband Peter, 85, who have run the museum since 1955 fear they will have to close the business if nobody wants to take it over.Mrs Hayes said: "In June this year my husband was taken seriously ill with pneumonia. We don't want to retire but when your health starts to decline you have to think. It will be a shame as we've been here 57 years, and it would be nice to make 60, but we've no family interested in taking it on. It's softly, softly and we hope we will be able to continue as it's also our home."

The couple are now seeking planning permission to change the use of the museum from a waxworks to residential use.

But Mrs Hayes said they were also seeking a reduction in rates payable to Great Yarmouth Borough Council to make it a more viable business.

The museum has more than 150 models, mostly dating back to the 1970s and 1980s including an unflattering Prince Charles, a dusky skinned Sean Connery and model Samantha Fox. A model of Prince William has him in a casual sweater with a full head of hair while a model of the Queen looks less than regal.The museum which employs three staff also includes a chamber of horrors and a collection of antique amusement machines.

Many of the models have been widely mocked on the internet, particularly by visitors on the review website TripAdvisor.

Louis Tussaud's is clearly a treasureand should be saved for the nation. I hope it never closes