A LOTTERY bid for a £1.2m scheme to upgrade facilities at Burnley's Towneley Hall will be outlined to councillors tomorrow.

The scheme will see an extension built on the site of a servants' wing which was demolished in 1928.

The plans have already gained widespread approval from visitors, professional advisors, local groups and individuals.

In the wing there would be a new shop, toilets, an education room, staff offices, library, lift, food preparation area and a store.

This would release rooms in the historic main building for public exhibitions and would allow new displays, methods of interpretation and new uses of the building.

A report to the recreation and leisure committee states: "The new facilities would allow more income-generating events and a more successful shop."

Burnley's contribution of at least 25 per cent of the cost of the scheme would come from the Fairclough Bequest, the Ashcroft Bequest, the Towneley Hall Society, visitor donations, sponsorship, the North West Museum Service and other charitable trust and funds.

It is hoped the bid for assistance from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be submitted by the end of June.

If successful the work could start in 1997 and be complete for the year 2000.

Last September the hall was successful in securing £17,150 from the heritage fund towards refurbishing the two main art galleries, one of which had been closed since 1994.

The money enabled improvements to the lighting, air conditioning and decoration, and allowed more information to be supplied about the paintings on display.

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