THE Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton is continuing to work hard to find the match funding needed to carry out a major expansion and refurbishment programme.
In December last year the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a grant of £261,000 for the museum but the same amount has to be raised by the museum before it gets a penny.
Members of the museum association wanted to make this clear to the public because they have received many comments from people who think the money is already in the museum's coffers.
'The whole project is £520,000 and we have funding applications to raise the remaining funding, but we are still waiting to hear if they will be successful,' said curator Maurie Webber.
Grants from West Devon Borough Council, Dartmoor National Park, Okehampton Town Council, plus the museum's own fundraising, totals £41,000, but there is still a long way to go.
'We really need to get the match funding by January 2003 and once we have the money all in place there are very strict rules on how we use it,' added Maurie.
Museum association chairman Rose Young said four years of hard work went into the Lottery bid and plans included the installation of a lift, a new state of the art gallery, new collections, interactive displays and improved access.
'We are very grateful for all the goodwill and support we have received over the years from the community,' she said.
'Like everybody else we are still suffering from the foot and mouth crisis and this is not an easy time to find funding.'
A fundraising coffee morning will be held in the Church Hall, Okehampton, on Saturday morning.