LEADING internationally-acclaimed architects are queuing up to design Radcliffe's new museum.

John Pawson, a leading British minimalist architect, has thrown his hat into the ring and sent one of his assistants to the town for a site visit.

Pawson's portfolio includes designing Hong Kong Airport and the showpiece Calvin Klein store on Madison Avenue, New York.

Architects Caruso St George, who recently created Warsaw's Art Gallery, have also expressed an interest as have Niall Phillips who designed Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Bristol Performing Arts Centre.

Bury Council's principal arts officer Mr Tony Trehy said: "It is tremendously exciting and the fact that we are attracting such high profile names is a measure of how prestigious the museum will be." Confirmation that £25,000 is to be made available from the Radcliffe Renewal budget, along with an expected £10,000 of match funding from Bury Council, has allowed plans to proceed. The basement of Radcliffe Market is the site earmarked for the museum. Its central location, large area and impressive vaulted barrelled ceiling made it the ideal choice.

But no timescale has yet been given for when building work might start.

Mr Trehy said: "The next step is to write a brief of the scheme for the architects and invite them to submit detailed designs and proposals.

"A selection panel will then be formed and there will be some form of public consultation to decide which design we should opt for."

He added: "This is going to be one of the most significant architectural features for many, many years and it will have an impact not just on Radcliffe, but on the North West as a whole."

The curator of Bury Museum, Mr Richard Burns, has already made it clear that Radcliffe's museum would not simply rely on static displays of civic regalia catering for a mature white audience.

There are plans to develop collections to integrate community history and local groups and organisations.

It is also envisaged that a place for corporate entertainment and a museum shop could be included within the project. Space could also be reserved for visiting collections of celebrated exhibits.