BADLY behaved bankers are an ill wind that has blown benefit for the Ludlow Museum and Resource Centre.

Some of the fines imposed upon banks for rigging interest rates in an international scandal have been allocated to help the service whose future in Ludlow sits under a cloud.

The news comes as a boost to the Museum Resource Centre that has been hit by jobs cuts imposed as part of money saving measures by Shropshire Council.

A deal brokered by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, following discussions with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, were made public following the recent emergency budget.

Lottie James, the chairman of the Friends of Ludlow Museum, says that the £250,000 allocated to the town will increase accessibility to the collection of fossils.

“We are very grateful for all the help and support Philip Dunne has given our campaign,” she said.

“Our meeting with Treasury officials was an invaluable opportunity to highlight the national significance of the collection held at the Ludlow Museum and Resource Centre and we are delighted to be receiving this LIBOR funding to help maintain the collections held there and make them more accessible for the future.”

Ludlow Museum and Resource Centre houses Shropshire museum collections not currently on display in the other local museums across Shropshire.

This includes a natural history collection, archaeological collections, and the significant geological collection which comprises more than 41,000 fossils and mineralogical specimens.

Mr Dunne has welcomed news of funding from LIBOR fines for Ludlow Museum and Resource Centre.

He initiated this funding by contacting the chancellor earlier this year, which led to a meeting with Treasury officials, allowing the Friends of Ludlow Museum to present a case for the national significance of the collections to be recognised with LIBOR funding.

The Friends of Ludlow Museum have been awarded the money to enable the publication on-line of the unique and historically important geological collections held at the Museum and Resource Centre.

“I am delighted the chancellor has decided to support Ludlow Museum and Resource Centre by allocating funding from LIBOR fines,” said Mr Dunne.

“In recent months Friends of Ludlow Museum developed credible plans to create a digital record of the county collections maintained in Ludlow, which will facilitate lasting access to this national quality collection.

“The Museum and Resource Centre has been well used for many years by local schools, interested volunteers and eminent scientists. I am delighted that this funding will help ensure continued use and improved access for the future.

“This funding is a real boost for Ludlow, for all those in Shropshire who use the museum, and for the wider scientific community."