A MUSEUM dedicated to showcasing the history of the New Forest has been awarded £62,200.

The New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust, which owns and runs the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst, was awarded the money by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Staff say the funding will help to strengthen the museum's financial sustainability in the future and increase public awareness of its charitable status.

Manager Hilary Marshall said: "It has always been the aim of the trustees to make the museum as accessible to everyone as possible.

"We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"The dramatic increase in visitor numbers since February indicates there is definitely a demand for local museums such as ours.

"Our visitors often make the assumption that we are a government-run organisation or commercial enterprise and are therefore reluctant to make a donation, so we would like to make our charitable status more apparent."

The museum was built in the 1980s with the aim of educating visitors about the natural, social and cultural history of the area.

Its building also houses the New Forest Gallery, Christopher Tower Reference Library and a gift shop.

Visitor numbers have increased by 500 per cent since admission charges were scrapped as part of a year-long trial.

Stuart McLeod, head of HLF South East, said: "The New Forest Centre plays an important role in sharing the history and heritage of one of England’s most popular forests.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant will allow the centre to put plans in place to ensure a secure future so that it will thrive despite these challenging financial times."