PONTYPOOL museum - which is hoping to boost its visitor numbers to secure its immediate future - has received £23,000 from a community regeneration initiative for a refurbishment.

The museum is currently campaigning to attract 1,000 new members to make up for a £19,000 cash shortfall in its budget.

Staff, whose hard work has seen the drive attract 650 new members, have welcomed the news of funding.

The £23,476 award from the EU-funded South East Wales Community Economic Development (SEWCED) programme will help refurbish the Grade II Listed Georgian stable block that houses the museum, as well as contributing to the salary costs of two members of staff to raise funds and recruit new members.

The SEWCED award will help pay for essential repair work to the building and a review of energy-efficient lighting costs.

It has also increased the working hours of the museum’s fundraising officer and led to the employment of a part-time membership secretary with the aim of increasing the number of volunteer members.

The museum’s curator Deborah Wildgust said that this will “help strengthen the local economy and also help to increase the number of members”.

She added that the grant has also boosted the moral of its one full time and eight part time staff and of its 24 volunteers during a “difficult financial year”.

Torfaen County Borough Council social enterprise grants manager Caitlin Eales said the SEWCED award was essential to preserve the museum’s collections for tourists and local residents alike.

“With seasonal exhibits, exclusive art events, a research studies library and world famous collection of Pontypool Japanware, Torfaen Museum Trust is looking after our local history for future generations,” she added.

Pontypool Museum, which is managed by Torfaen Museum Trust, has been responsible for safeguarding and collecting more than 15,000 objects since 1978.

Other facilities include conference room hire for conference/training sessions and community group use, together with a programme of workshops for schools and adult learning.

Museum membership is now on special offer too, which means people can try a trial period.

New prices until December 2014 are Individual: £7.50, Family: £10 and Corporate: £30.

For more information call the museum on 01495 752036.