THE upcoming Redditch Local History Museum has received a boost after being awarded over £17,000 in National Lottery funding.

Work is underway to create the museum at 5 Market Place in the Church Green Conservation area to celebrate the town's history and heritage.

The project has received a grant of £17,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which will be used to help create the Redditch Historic Archives.

The archives will be an integral part of the museum to securely store and make available artefacts representing Redditch's past.

Work can now begin to equip the archive facility and train volunteers to catalogue, preserve, interpret and display the artefacts that have been donated to the museum.

Derek Coombes, chairman of the trustees at the museum, said: “We have been very pleased with the progress we have made since launching the museum project nine months ago, so we were delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players.

"The archives are fundamental to our objectives for the museum and this award will enable us to take a big step closer to preserving Redditch local history for future generations to enjoy.”

Organisers are now calling for volunteers to come forward from all sections of the Redditch community to help collect and document the town's history.

Derek added: "There is a wide range of opportunities for people of all ages and skills to help make this a real community-led initiative. We need volunteers to help process, record and maintain the archives and to help design, research, document and realise the exhibits in the museum.

"Where necessary training will be given and support will be available, but enthusiasm for Redditch local history is the main requirement."

For more information about volunteering at Redditch Local History Museum, email contact@rlhm.uk.