The folklife gallery will close for good on January 6 - as part of controversial plans to replace it with a TT display.

More than 3,100 people have signed a petition to save the gallery at the Manx Museum.

The instigator of the petition, Lynn Mather, said: ’The folk gallery surely is too important an exhibition for the young of our island, showing in such a vivid way how our ancestors lived, to even think of dismantling it.’

But Manx National Heritage said it is pressing ahead with its ’exciting’ new TT and motorsport gallery.

Before building work can start, existing displays need to be carefully dismantled.

Manx National Heritage curators and conservators are currently preparing for the major task of recording and packing each item before they are carefully removed to one of the collection stores.

They will also take the opportunity to update and enhance the existing records on these items in the museum collections database ahead of the big move.

Some preparatory work has already begun but the main task of packing and moving will not begin until the new year.

To allow this work to take place safely and securely the folklife gallery will close from Monday, January 6.

The move is a complex operation involving not only the many smaller items on display, but also the larger objects such as the farm carts and the loom.

Even the chiollagh (open hearth) from the farmhouse reconstruction will need to be carefully dismantled for removal.

Back in the 1930s the chiollagh and stone flagged floor were transplanted from a derelict farmhouse at the Gollane in Jurby.

The Manx Museum director at the time employed a Douglas mason to carefully number, demolish and then reconstruct the structure.

Just as much care will be taken over the dismantling of the chiollagh in 2020, Manx National Heritage says.

Conservation architect John-Paul Walker has been appointed to advise on the specialist work needed for the work.