HISTORY lovers are set to bid for a major lottery grant to pave the way for the creation of a long-awaited museum in Congleton.

The museum is due to be developed at Market Square Chambers, and will feature an exhibition gallery, research centre and archive room.

Among the items on show will be the Astbury log boat and cremation urn, and Moody Street and Priest coin hoards.

The lottery bid is due to be submitted in the next few weeks by Congleton Museum Trust, the people behind the project, and could provide 75 per cent of the cost of the scheme.

"The museum will provide the long-awaited opportunity to see returned to Congleton many of the fascinating archeological and historic artefacts discovered in and around the town," said trustee David Daniel.

"This is going to be an exciting development which will need the support of the whole community."

The museum will also feature exhibitions on how Congleton was affected by the Civil War, the impact of the industrial revolution, and life in the town during the two world wars.

"The exhibitions will include the contribution local people made to the war effort, and will feature those who were to gain military honours and served in the Home Guard or on the land," said Mr Daniel.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.