Trust bid to save museum

Campaigners fighting for the future of Willenhall's under-threat Lock Museum are planning to form a heritage trust, in a bid to protect the attraction and other historical sites in the town.

Early plans are being put together to create Willenhall Heritage Trust, which would aim to preserve some form of tribute to lock making in the town.

It comes as the Black Country Museum (BCLM), which owns the Locksmith's House in New Road, looks set to build a replica of the attraction at its Dudley site.

Bosses are currently waiting for planning and funding applications to get the green-light, which would see the contents of the grade II listed house move to Tipton Road.

But Rupy Pandaal, secretary of the Friends of Willenhall Lock Museum, said: "As a Friends group, we believe the Lock Museum is very, very crucial to the town," he said.

"We think the best action for us is to create a Willenhall Heritage Trust, which has a Lock Museum as the jewel in the crown but also picks up other interesting sites and works them into the bigger picture.

Mr Pandaal said the idea had received a good reaction from BCLM bosses at a private meeting between the two parties last week.