A BURY museum has been given thousands of pounds from a charity to put towards IT equipment.

The Fusilier Museum, in Moss Street, has been given a grant of £4,500 from the East Lancashire Masonic Charity.

The grant will go towards purchasing and installing 15 new computers which will be used by staff and volunteers throughout the business.

The East Lancashire Masonic Charity provides charitable assistance to Freemasons, their widows, dependent relatives and to organisations within the community. The new computers will replace existing equipment and create additional work stations for volunteers to use while undertaking work at the museum.

Some of the new computers will also be located in the museum’s archive which processes hundreds of family history enquiries every year from the public.

Helen Smith, general manager at The Fusilier Museum, said: “We are extremely grateful for this grant from East Lancashire Masonic Charity and it will make a huge difference to the way we currently operate.

“We already run a successful volunteer programme but this grant will enable us to expand the scheme further, create a wide range of new opportunities and enhance our education programme for schools.”

Steve Holland, district charity steward for Bury, said: “The Fusilier Museum is an amazing place and we are delighted to be able to help such a well-loved community project.

“Our contribution will undoubtedly help the museum with their plans moving forward.

“We look forward to hearing about the museum’s continued success.”

The Fusilier Museum is the home to the historic collections of XX The Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Documenting over 300 years of history and heritage through permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum tells the rich and fascinating stories of the people who have served the region down the centuries and continue to serve in the regiments.