ONE of the region's leading museums has unveiled plans for an ambitious five-year programme of paid internships for graduates.

The Bowes Museum, at Barnard Castle, has been awarded £9,300 to progress its plans for a Conservation in Action project and apply for a full grant of £454,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund's Skills for the Future programme.

Under the project, the museum will offer a number of 12-month paid internships enabling graduates to bridge the gap between academic training and meaningful practical experience in a museum environment.

Those chosen will develop skills such as surveying, preventative conservation, staging of temporary exhibitions, supervision of volunteers and interaction with other museums.

In addition to the training opportunities, the project will improve the museum’s care of its collections, enable stored items to be put on display and make conservation activity more visible to visitors.

Jon Old, conservation manager at The Bowes Museum, said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support.

“This project will offer one of the best opportunities available for conservation graduates to gain hands-on experience of working in a museum environment while gaining key skills in their sector.”