THE town s volunteer-run museum has been awarded a three-year grant from the town council worth a total of �3,000.

THE town's volunteer-run museum has been awarded a three-year grant from the town council worth a total of �3,000.

The money, a service level agreement worth �1,000 each year up to 2012, was agreed by members of the town council's finance committee - despite just �851 left in the grants budget.

Following a presentation by Alan Arthur, head of documentation, the money will be used to publicise the Shepherd's Row-based museum.

The museum celebrates quarter of a century this year and has attracted 1,500 visitors in the last 12 months to see some of the 5,500 artefacts which are either being displayed or are in storage.

And volunteers regularly go into schools and residential homes educating people about the town's history.

Alan Arthur said: "We research, record and preserve knowledge about the town's history.

"But because of where we are we don't get passing trade. We have no regular grant funding and all the volunteers work for free.

"Income comes from admission fees, coffee mornings and donations. But we don't want a grant to keep us afloat, we can do that.

"But we do want to move forward and increase visitors to the museum, to make ourselves better known to residents and visitors and for that we need help.

"We have the expertise, but there are costs for printing and websites"

Cllr Mark Williamson said: "A museum in Exmouth is essential for the town and its history and is a valuable resource."

Cllr Eileen Wragg said: "The museum is a gem; I wish more of us had time to get more involved.

"It is important that we support this valuable asset."

Ends