A HAMPSHIRE museum earmarked for closure has been given a stay of execution.

Gosport’s Explosion! naval museum was due to close on April 1, but will now stay open thanks to the interest from a potential developer.

Verve pulled out of a £40m scheme to redevelop Priddys Hard earlier this year.

A new developer has now come forward to express an interest in the scheme.

The details of the proposed development – or the developer – have not yet been revealed, but it will include a hotel, leisure facilities and housing.

Explosion!’s fate will be decided once it is known whether the potential developer will go ahead with the scheme.