COUNCILLORS have praised the importance of Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery as they approved spending £465,000 on replacing its roof.
The heritage hub, one of the first public museums to open outside London in 1874, houses collections of national importance including several paintings by J W Turner, Japanese prints, Christian icons and Egyptian artefacts.
On Thursday last week the executive board of Blackburn with Darwen Council, which owns the Grade II-listed building in Museum Street, authorised the works.
The senior councillors approved adding £100,000 of the authority’s own money to £365,000 grant awarded in March from the Cultural Investment Fund administered by Arts Council England.
Culture boss Cllr Damian Talbot said: "The museum roof is in very poor condition. The collections are at risk.
"The value of Blackburn Museum is immense. It's a real no-brainer."
The council's education boss Cllr Julie Gunn said: "It is a really valuable piece of our town."
Her adult services counterpart Cllr Mustafa Desai said: "It's a fantastic asset for the borough."
Conservative opposition group leader Cllr John Slater said: "The museum and art gallery is a hugely important resource for the town and borough.
"We shall keep a close eye on how this goes."
A report from borough regeneration boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said the work next year would take nine months.
It added: "The work is essential and needs to be undertaken."
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