COUNCIL chiefs are bidding for funds to complete the refurbishment of one of East Lancashire's best-known art galleries after renovation costs rocketed by nearly £50,000.

And it was revealed today that the opening of Accrington's prestigious Haworth Art Gallery had been delayed until February after vandals and thieves targeted the building.

Work began last year on the redevelopment of the Manchester Road home of one of the best collections of rare Tiffany Glass in the world, after £85,000 was donated to the cost of the project by an anonymous benefactor.

Hyndburn Council had been forced to trim its plans after National Lottery chiefs granted them only £220,000 after it bid for £500,000.

The total cost of the revamped scheme was set at just over £300,000 and was intended to include a new cafe facility, new education room and disabled access. The venue was supposed to open in the summer, but delays forced the opening back to November. Now the cash shortfall has pulled the expected opening date back to February 2002. Costs have mounted since the work began, and now an extra £45,000 to being sought to complete the project.

Coun John Griffiths, chairman of the Baxenden Area Council, said: "The extra money is being sought to complete the project.

"We have been informed by officers that two options are being pursued. We have reapplied to the Lottery for more money and we will also be approaching the anonymous donor again.

"It is just a case that costs have increased as a result of the work which weren't predicted at the beginning."

Vandals have also targeted the building, while thieves tried to steal stone carvings which had been moved from the edge of the early 20th-century building's roof for restoration. They have now been restored and attached to the building using metal rods.

Windows have been smashed and stone walls defaced.

Coun Griffiths added: "Fortunately, they were recovered but for people to target the building in the first place I find a an absolute disgrace. It is part of our heritage and people should be proud of it, not destroying it.

"Hopefully, the money will be in place in some way or another so the place can reopen in February."

Staff at the gallery are currently touring organisations across the region raising the profile of the venue.

Some £31,000 will be spent improving displays of the world-famous Tiffany glass collection.

The Haworth will be shut from December 23 until July 2001 to allow the work to be completed. The council intends to return to the benefactor should it decide to embark on further work at the Haworth.