SUPPORTERS of Pewsey Heritage Centre are toasting their success now that the attraction has become a fully accredited museum.

The accreditation from the Arts Council has been achieved following a major refurbishment which was completed last year.

This incorporated new displays, a new roof, glass entrance, additional artefacts, better signage and longer opening hours.

Paul Cowan, chairman of the trustees, said: “All the museum volunteers have been working towards this for the last five years. We are pleased to have achieved this landmark achievement.”

Trustee Fritha Costain added: “We are so proud to have achieved accreditation.

“This puts the museum on a par with national museums like the Science Museum.”

Heritage Centre staff had to prepare more than 200 pages of documentation cataloguing more than 95 per cent of their collection and redecorate the interior of the building to be given the accreditation.

The refurbishment of the museum continues, with new artefacts regularly being put on display.

Most recently technical illustrations by Pewsey artist Lucy Strachan were added to the new glass front doors.

Museum manager Mike Asbury said: “It is only through this refurbishment work that accreditation has been possible.

“This has provided us with a building deemed to be environmentally acceptable to store some of our more fragile items.”

The Heritage Centre re-opens for the 2015 season on Saturday, March 7.