PLANS were on show for an extension to Lyme Regis Museum - which would 'ensure the museum has 50 more years of life'.

Museum officials held a public consultation at Woodmead Halls on Tuesday, showing off initial proposals for the Mary Anning Wing extension to the historic building.

It is hoped enough funding is raised to complete the extension by the summer of 2017.

Museum curator David Tucker said: "Generally, we have had a positive reception from members of the public about what we are trying to do.

"This is not about putting things in the museum we would like, such as new storage space - it is about meeting the needs of the people who come through the door. We are told that we are the most visited museum on Dorset by school groups, and we haven't got a loo and we haven't got a classroom.

"It is really about putting in place the things that ensure this museum has 50 more years of life. This will put us in a position where we will be able to raise much more money ourselves, provide better services for local people and you won't have to walk across a busy road to fin a loo."

The Mary Anning Wing would bring the museum building up to modern standards, with a new learning space for schools, universities and community groups - along with public toilets, a lift, a larger shop and a re-designed fossil gallery.

Lyme Regis Museum trustee John Dover, said: "This is really about going public now with where we are on the proposed extension for Lyme Regis Museum.

"Over the years, we have gone through a number of amendments with our proposals and we are now into a project with a significant promise of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and we are now in the process of firming up our plans.

"The aim is to hopefully have an extension built by the summer of 2017."

Lyme Regis resident Emma Davies liked the proposals on show.

"Everyone in Lyme loves the museum and we're very proud of it" she said.

"It will be nice to have a bit of a modern looking building in the town for a change - so hopefully they can raise enough money to go ahead with it all.

"The plans look really nice and it's great to be able to see them and and talk to the museum about what it will be like."

For more information on the proposals, visit lymeregismuseum.co.uk/MaryAnning/