A community-led campaign has secured £30,000 in council funding for Alton’s Curtis Museum.

On July 8 Alton Town Council granted £20,000 to go with £10,000 from East Hampshire District Council leader Cllr Richard Millard’s Leader’s Priority Budget.

The Curtis Museum Community Partnership of residents, community groups and councillors applied for cash after a planned cut in funding from Hampshire County Council to the Hampshire Cultural Trust, which runs the museum, threatened its future.

This £30,000 boost aims to keep it open for another year in order to develop a renovation and business plan, apply for more funding and implement the plan.

The partnership is working with residents, councils and the trust to make the museum “a vibrant heritage and cultural centre reflecting Alton’s history, identity and future”.

Partnership chair Ian Holliday said: “The Curtis Museum is an irreplaceable part of Alton’s identity. This £30,000 is a major step forward and shows what can be achieved when the community and our councils come together to protect something the town values.”

Partnership supporter and Alton Town county councillor Emily Young added: “This funding buys vital time to think ambitiously about the museum’s future.

“We now have an opportunity to create a sustainable heritage and cultural centre, shaped by Alton’s residents and built around the needs of the community.”

Alton Whitedown town and district councillor Ginny Boxall, another partnership supporter, said: “The Curtis Museum Community Partnership thanks Alton Town Council for its generous £20,000 grant, alongside the £10,000 approved by East Hampshire District Council leader Cllr Richard Millard.

“We are extremely grateful for this commitment to preserving one of Alton’s most valued community assets for future generations.”

Alton town mayor and district councillor Barbara Tansey added: “Councillors were really enthusiastic about backing the Curtis Museum and excited about the opportunity to help shape its future.”