ROSSENDALE Museum, which was saved from the axe last year, has re-opened to the public after a major revamp.

The museum was saved thanks to a partnership between Lancashire County Council and Rossendale Borough Council, but has been closed since November 2003 to undergo a facelift.

It now has a new education room, a small gallery to host changing exhibitions, a lift and brand new toilets, all of which were made possible thanks to a £200,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Financial support for the scheme also came from Rossendale Borough Council and the Friends of Rossendale Museum.

The museum, in Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall, faced closure as part of budget cuts by Rossendale Borough Council after it was named the worst local authority in the country in 2002.

Lancashire County Council has taken over the running of the museum, but will continue to work closely with the borough council, which still officially owns the building.

Marcus Johnstone, the county council's cabinet member for cultural services and communications, said: "We are very pleased to see it re-open, especially as there was a real and genuine threat of closure hanging over it.

"Improvements have been made and people will definitely notice the difference."

Further improvements, including the creation of a new reception area and shop, funded by the county council, will take place between now and September.

The museum, which celebrated its centenary year last year, boasts a considerable natural history collection and is also famous for displaying a Zeppelin bomb dropped in Rossendale during the First World War.