IT'S fingers firmly crossed for trustees at Earby's Museum of Yorkshire Dales Lead Mining after they submitted a bid for £170,000 in Lotto funding.

The museum, housed in the historic Old Grammar School, on School Lane, is half-way through a complete transformation.

Phase one has seen the fabric of the grade two listed building restored and made sound for many years to come. That work alone cost in the region of £140,000, with over £80,000 coming in a grant from English Heritage. More funds came from Pendle Council, Earby Parish Council, the Duchy of Lancaster, the Pilgrim Trust and a whole host of other contributors.

Phase two of the restoration will focus on the inside of the building, including putting back the original first floor.

There will be new stairs, full disabled access via a lift, new wiring, heating, insulation, toilet facilities and a new upstairs lecture theatre facility where visiting groups can learn about the history of lead mining in the Dales. The cost of the work has been estimated at £170,000, including all materials, labour and professional fees.

Trustees have high hopes that the funding bid now submitted to Lotto will attract the bulk of that cash. They believe they have a strong case and know that the Lotto fund managers like to help people who first help themselves.That has certainly been the case at the museum, which is now open every weekend for "Trash and Treasure" sales.

Trustees decided that once the shell of the building was made good, they should use it to help raise cash for the remaining restoration work. Relying on voluntary help and a steady flow of donated items, they ran the sales for the 10 weeks running up to Christmas, starting again after the festive break.

So far they have raised almost £3,000 through the bring-and-buy-type sales, and have no plans to stop. They are held each Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm and attract a growing number of bargain hunters.

Morris Horsfield, one of the hard working trustees, said: "I'd like to thank all the people who have donated or bought things from the sales and the fantastic team of volunteers who make it possible to run them.

"We stand a better chance of financial support from the Lotto and other sources if they can see that we are already doing what we can to raise money.

"We want the museum to be better used than it was, attracting school groups and people who might not otherwise come to Earby."We think when it's finished it will be a real asset to the town."

Anyone with items to donate for the Trash and Treasure sales can go along to the museum on Saturday or Sunday from 10am to 4pm or phone Morris on 01282 841887.