THE future looks rosy for Wimborne’s Priest’s House Museum as it celebrates a £442,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The impressive sum will fund a timber framed Open Learning Centre within the museum’s High Street grounds, so activities can be laid on for schools and other groups.

It will also house some collections and a tearoom, freeing up space for galleries and other exhibits in the main Grade II* Listed town house.

Emma Ayling, curator for 12 years, said: “I’ve spent eight years working towards this dream. There will be all sorts of projects linked to the new building, and we’re hoping to get even more of the community involved and actively learning.

“As the museum approaches its 50th birthday, we can celebrate it by ensuring that the community of East Dorset is engaged with and inspired by the museum and its collections for the next 50 years.”

More than 150 volunteers, aged 14-90, already help Emma and assistant curator James Webb bring the history of East Dorset alive for their visitors.

Emma added: “It’s a very forward thinking museum. I’ve worked in a lot of museums, but this truly is part of the community.

“It’s much loved and really tells the story of the area.”

Cllr Spencer Flower, leader at East Dorset District Council, said he was delighted to hear of the “substantial” award.

He said: “This is testament to all the hard work that the museum’s staff and volunteers have put in.”