RESIDENTS and visitors to Blandford can now access local heritage at the town's museum free of charge thanks to an increased subsidy from the town council.

Members of the Blandford Museum Trust asked civic bosses to support them in their bid to increase visitor numbers to the Bere's Yard facility, and the council agreed to £2,000 in financial help for the next two years. The free entry came into force at the weekend.

The museum trust has been building on its contribution to the community through educational work at the museum and in schools, as well as lectures and courses, and new displays and exhibits.

It has devised a five-year plan aimed at increasing the number of visitors to the museum, which was established 21 years ago.

"The artefacts belong to the people, and it is wrong that they should have to pay to see them," said curator Peter Andrews.

He says that he hopes the free admission will encourage people to use the museum shop more and give donations, and will make it easier to recruit volunteers to act as stewards.

New exhibits for the coming season include a scale model of Blandford railway station, which has been under construction since last year. Current ones include memorabilia from the First and Second World Wars and recreations of bygone life in Blandford.

There is also a Victorian children's playroom complete with doll's house and toys.

The council subsidy is subject to the museum continuing to open at half term and offering a children's Saturday club, as well as the town council being kept aware of the progress of the free admissions.