Stockholm- The planned opening of a museum dedicated to former Swedish group ABBA next year has been cancelled, organizers said Friday, citing difficulties with the renovation of a 100-year-old former customs building housing it.

"It's better to make this decision at an early stage, even though it's a sad message," museum co-founder Ulf Westman said.

Westman and his wife, Ewa Wigenheim-Westman, had aimed to open the museum next June 4. No new date was set.

Westman said an agreement with the owner of the building, Ports of Stockholm, had been cancelled and a search for a possible new venue was under way.

Planned exhibits included original stage costumes, music instruments, photos and other memorabilia from the heydays of ABBA.

The museum is also aiming to offer visitors an interactive experience including the chance to record their own songs.

ABBA had their international breakthrough when they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with "Waterloo".

They have sold an estimated 370 million albums, and still sell 2.3 million a year even though it was two decades since they released their last joint album.

The soundtrack from the movie Mamma Mia! featuring ABBA hits has also scored success on charts.

Former ABBA members Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Anni-Fred Reuss (formerly Lyngstad) approved the museum plans but were not to be active partners in the project. (dpa)