WESTON could lose hundreds of visitors a year after a family-owned scooter museum has decided to sell up. The Lambretta Museum in Alfred Street, has attracted visitors from across the world during its 19 years, including New Zealand, Japan and South Afric

WESTON could lose hundreds of visitors a year after a family-owned scooter museum has decided to sell up.The Lambretta Museum in Alfred Street, has attracted visitors from across the world during its 19 years, including New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.But owner Nigel Cox, aged 55, has decided to sell the museum because he wants to retire. The museum, which does not charge visitors, is funded by its shop, Weston Scooter Parts.Offers for the museum's 100 scooters, posters and nostalgia have been made by people in America and a British consortium of enthusiasts, meaning it could leave the town.Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, who represents Central ward, said North Somerset Council could not take over the museum.He said: "It's a sad loss to the town as it's a very good museum. Unfortunately the owner wants to sell it and it's a simple business transaction."The scooter collection is estimated at £500,000, but Nigel is looking to sell it to an enthusiast for around £350,000.He has decided to keep his rarest scooters - the first and last ever Lambretta produced.Nigel's father, Ron, aged 83, lent him money in 1986 to set up the museum and works there free of charge.He said: "It started off as a labour of love, but the museum doesn't make any money and Nigel wants to do something different."It will be a terrible blow for the town because people visit Weston especially to look around the museum."We've had people visit us from Australia and America and then ask where's the best place to stay in Weston. "There's a knock-on affect to other businesses and the museum has helped the local economy.