CONSULTANTS called in to devise a future for the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum are asking local people to help.

Darlington Borough Council is preparing a bid for the Heritage Lottery Fund to help the museum develop, but the bid can only be made if it is supported by the community.

Consultants Continuum, of York, want to know what would attract a new audience to the museum.

They want people who have not visited the museum to tell them why not and what they imagine the museum to be like.

They also invite suggestions on what kind of events and activities people would like to see at the museum.

Curator Graham Bowen asked people to take a few minutes to note their thoughts either on paper or on a computer. Either e-mail them to graham.bowen@darlington.gov.uk or write to Mr Bowen at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, North Road Station, Darlington, DL3 6ST.

In June, the archaeology department at the University of York asked for assistance in drawing up conservation plans for the North Road site. Its report is due soon.

The two surveys will support the Lottery bid. Darlington council is spending £36,000 on groundwork for the bid, and hopes to obtain as much as £2.5m.