TOWNELEY Hall could be celebrating the new millennium with a new £1.2 million extension housing a shop, library and education room.

If a bid for National Lottery cash is successful, a new wing will be added to the museum, and as well as providing extra facilities, it would release space in the main building for new public displays.

Burnley council has drawn up a marketing plan to show how more visitors - and more income - could fund increased running costs.

The main feature of the extension, which would be built on the site of a servants' wing demolished in 1928, would be a shop placed at the hall's exit to attract tourists on their way out.

The museum's curator, Susan Bourne, says in a report to the council: "Improvements are needed to the facilities and a scheme to extend Towneley Hall has gained widespread approval.

"No objections to the scheme have been received, although some suggested alterations have been incorporated.

"The new wing would contain a new shop, lavatories, education room, staff offices, library, lift, food preparation area and store. The new facilities would allow more income-generating events and a more successful shop."

If the scheme wins a lottery grant, work will begin in 1997 and end in 2000.

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