BURY'S new fusilier museum has taken a giant step closer to becoming a reality.

The Fusiliers Museum at Wellington Barracks has been awarded a Development Grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund of nearly £50,000 to help them prepare plans for a move to a new museum in Bury town centre.

The Regiment plan to move their existing collection, which dates back to the 17th century, from Wellington Barracks to the Arts and Craft Centre in Broad Street.

The project is a joint effort between the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the Lancashire Fusilier Association and Bury Council.

The announcement of the Lottery cash grant was made last week and senior military and civic leaders gathered in Bury to mark the occasion.