BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has welcomed the £1.1million Heritage Lottery Fund grant for major improvements to Towneley Hall - the jewel in Burnley's crown.

Mr Pike, who stepped in to voice his support for the bid when it ran into difficulties over access arrangements two years' ago, said: "This is magnificent news for Towneley Hall, Burnley and the North West as a whole. "Towneley is one of Burnley's gems which the council has steadily made more attractive over the years." He added: "The grant will enable the town to tackle many of the things planned for years and help make Towneley a real asset to the North West."

Council recreation chairman Barry Guttridge says the two year improvement scheme, costing a total of £1.4 million and involves building a new wing on the museum and art gallery, will be a great way of celebrating the museum's centenary in 2002.

The scheme will give improved access, more display areas, a library and shop and more opportunities for social functions at the historic hall. There will also be more opening hours.

The major award may only be the first of two big improvement packages at Towneley.

Council bosses are ready to make another Heritage Lottery bid.

That is for a £1.7 million scheme to transform and restore the gardens and parklands.

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