FUNDING is still needed to create a museum and heritage centre to celebrate the history of Darwen.

A bid to the Big Lottery’s Community Libraries Fund Programme was turned down earlier this year but council officials have not given up.

Blackburn with Darwen Council submitted the bid in March for the project, to celebrate the centenary of Darwen Library Theatre.

The Community Libraries Fund Programme is a scheme where grants between £250,000 and £2million are given to projects to help create new spaces in libraries, including history work-shops, advice services and community meetings.

Under the scheme, a re-design of the layout in Darwen Library could create space for multi-use by partners, voluntary agencies, community groups and young people.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture, said: “Earlier this year we applied to the Big Lottery’s Community Libraries Fund Programme for funding to redesign and refurbish Darwen Library to create more space for multi-use and also a small museum and heritage centre inside the building.

“Although we were disappointed to be turned down, we feel very strongly that some elements of the bid proposals are still viable and we are actively seeking funding from other sources.

“When we do secure funding we will be consulting with our users for their views on what they would like to see at the library.”