THE new man at the helm of an attraction celebrating the region's railway heritage has told of his hopes for the future.

Bob Clark has been appointed manager of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, in the town's North Road.

Mr Clark, who has experience in museums across Britain, including Beamish, wants Lottery funding to transform the venue.

Bosses have made a multi-million pound bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and are awaiting the outcome.

Mr Clark said: "We are very excited about the Lottery funding and the difference it can make to the museum.

"This museum has to compete with the likes of the new Locomotion in Shildon, and the best way to do that is to provide something different.

"This museum has great potential and a great deal to offer. I have exciting plans for the future of the museum and I am looking forward to putting them in place."

Nearly £500,000 is being invested in repairing the museum roof and north train shed.

Internal repairs are also being made in the ticket office and education centre.

Mr Clark said: "It is unusual for Darlington Museum to have someone with both museum and railway preservation experience.

"People may not realise that there is preservation work carried out at the museum and I want to see that developed, alongside the other work the museum does.

"The future of Darlington Railway Museum is about partnership with railway heritage. It is more than just a museum and more than just a place for railway heritage. It is about bringing the two together."