A HERITAGE group has unveiled plans for a town centre museum.

Hyndburn Heritage Group, which began as a team of enthusiasts appealing for public donations, has pulled together architectural plans for an Accrington attraction.

It would take up 5,000 square feet of the Arndale Centre’s upper floor units next to Marks and Spencer and would feature 15 sections of Accrington and Hyndburn heritage displays.

Proposals would also see a wartime ‘British Restaurant’ themed cafe based on the famous communal kitchens of the 1940s.

Funding bids of between £200,000 and £300,000 from pots such as Heritage Lottery Funding will be submitted in the next few months.

The group is considering becoming a registered charity and 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for a permanent museum.

Volunteer Tracy Simmonds spoke as the group unveiled the plans at a meeting at the Peel Park pub on Monday.

She said: “People come from across the north west to see our temporary exhibitions. All we need to make something special is a permanent home.

“It’s a massive area we have been offered by the Arndale Centre and we would want to do the space justice.

“There are some amazing things we have been given as donations which would be wonderful attractions. The architect’s plan to feature a British Restaurant cafe is also a wonderful idea.”

Talks are still ongoing with the Arndale Centre and the heritage group said building assessments were being made with a decision expected before the end of the summer.

A spokesman for the Arndale Centre said: “We are very happy to support the heritage museum and make space available for this important initiative for the community and attraction for the town.”

The Heritage Group has delighted crowds with special vintage, war themed and industrial exhibitions since forming more than a year ago. The group has a temporary exhibit at Accrington Market Hall.