BUCKETS in the corridors of a historic museum could soon be redundant as a bid to a potential funding body moves a step nearer fruition.

As reported in the D&S Times in November, essential repairs to the central section of the roof of the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle will cost £1.6m, but staff remain confident that the majority of that will come through grants.

A condition report from specialists described the repairs as an emergency, which led English Heritage to place the 130-year-old listed building on its "at risk" register. The museum's business manager, Matt Leng, said the scheme had the support of English Heritage, which staff believed would make a "significant grant towards the project", and he was hoping to have confirmation of that in the near future.

An architect and a professional team had now been appointed, and several specialist historic building roofing contractors had been invited to tender for the work.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said they were still in the process of considering the application.

"It is not for a specific sum," she said. "The museum makes an application and we are assessing their needs."

While neither side is talking figures, when added to the sums pledged by the Northern Rock Foundation and Durham County Council, as well as smaller amounts from local organisations, it is understood that the amount required is likely to be a six-figure sum, probably between £500,000 and £1m.

"We still have a fundraising effort to make," said Mr Leng. "But we are confident that because of the high-profile nature and urgency of this work, we will succeed.

"The roof works will probably take a year to complete and will ensure the museum building is watertight for another 100 years at least," he added.

Meanwhile the museum has received £235,000 from County Durham Economic Partnership to create new galleries on the ground floor in what is currently office space.

"We're also hopeful of a major European Regional Development Fund grant to help us ensure that the new galleries provide the 'wow' factor that is synonymous with the Bowes," said Mr Leng. "We are in the process of appointing a design team for this work, which should be completed in 2006."

The area will display some of the stored treasures which to date have not had the right conditions for exhibition.

One of the new galleries will be aimed at families and will house the toy collection.

"We are expecting the project to contribute significantly to the rising visitor numbers, which reached around 120,000 in the last 12 months," he added.