LYME Regis Museum says it is re-focusing its efforts to deliver the much-needed £3m extension.

The extension will more than double the size of the museum and provide teaching, exhibition, and study space.

The project was launched around five years ago and got off to a very successful start when £100,000 funding came from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The museum trustees spent three years putting together a bid and once approved, the money was used to work with an architect to develop ideas, draw up plans and produce surveys.

John Marriage, chairman of the trustees, said: “We came up with what we still believe is a very attractive set of plans which will add the space we need to the museum and essential resources like lifts, so people can get to all floors.

“It includes a space for education so when we have parties of school children we have somewhere to talk to them, a geology gallery, a temporary exhibition gallery, back offices and toilets for our visitors, which we don’t have at the moment.”

But the project hit a stumbling block two years ago – when the trustees were about to put the work out to tender, the Heritage Lottery Fund turned down their bid for more than £1m.

“They encouraged us to continue and pointed out some things we could do differently to improve the chance of success,” said Mr Marriage. “But they have also got changes going on in their funding capabilities, which has greatly reduced since even a couple of years ago.”

Mr Marriage said the trustees have spent the last two years exploring new sources of funding. “It does seem a long time but it does need thinking about really carefully,” he said. “Traditionally we looked to the public sector for the majority of funding for projects like this but they are now much less able to provide the money now.

“We have been looking at alternative sources – trusts and foundations, wealthy individuals who might be persuaded to make gifts, and perhaps companies and corporations.”

But to get the support of these potential funders, the museum must show its supporters are also making an effort.

The Museum Friends is aiming to raise £50,000 and are now almost halfway to their target. Museum Friend Margaret Rose said they have raised £24,000 since launching their appeal around four years ago, and in the last year alone, they have collected £11,500.

“It is all hard work but it is fun,” said Mrs Rose. “It has to be fun else no-one would do it. Our appeal seems to be really taking off now and taken on a life of its own.”

The trustees also met with Heritage Lottery Fund representatives three months ago, when they confirmed their continuing support in principle.

At their own meeting last Friday, the trustees reinforced their commitment to the project. Curator Mary Godwin said: “The trustees have decided that we are going to push forward with the plans. We have looked at various options but we are sticking to our guns. We do not yet know exactly how we are going to do it, but we are going to do it.

“The first thing we need to do is revive the project and get lots of people to support us.”

Project leaders are now looking to set up a ‘development office’ to drive forward funding applications, and recruit volunteers.

To help out, contact museum manager Carole Halden or curator Mary Godwin on 01297 443370.