NORTHWICH’s award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum is looking to spend its prize money on developing its history programme and learning activities.

The museum won a public vote for Best Heritage Project in a National Lottery award, and received a £3,000 cash prize to spend on the project and a trophy.

The team behind the museum celebrated its success by receiving an award on TV in front of a star-studded audience.

Millions of viewers saw the museum, which is the UK’s last open-pan salt making site and one of the last in the world, recognised for its work following a major four-year restoration project.

Cheshire West and Chester Council museum and arts manager Katherine West said: “It was a tremendous privilege to be at the awards ceremony and to get national recognition for the museum and Northwich’s history.

“The win has delighted everyone and given a tremendous sense of pride to staff, volunteers and trustees as well as local and regional residents.

“It also gives very public recognition to the many people who have fought to save the site.

“This award being a public vote makes it very special, and we are very grateful to the people of Northwich who campaigned and voted for us.

“We’ve decided to spend the £3,000 prize money on two projects - firstly on enhancing our autumn learning activities programme.

“This means we will be able to do things like employ a professional artist to help out during our half-term programme.

“With the rest of the money we want to develop our learning programme to extend our Key Stage 1 and 2 history programme.

“Our existing programme has been extremely popular with schools and this will help us get even better.

“Over the next few months we will also introduce a new Key Stage 3 history and science module.

“In this way, we will be reaching out to new young audiences and getting them interested and enthusiastic about the salt industry history on their doorstep.

“Winning a top national award is fantastic and inspirational. Our priority is to keep engaging with new audiences locally and nationally.”