Up to 75 per cent of Shropshire’s museum collections and 50 per cent of the county archive collection have never been seen by the public as they are in storage waiting to be catalogued.

Bosses at Shropshire Museum and Archive Services say that the area’s museums are home to thousands of artefacts, photographs and records which help to recount the unique and exciting history of the county.

The museums are now planning a £700,000 project to catalogue the majority of the collections, which are currently hidden from view.

Mary Mackenzie, of the museum services, said: “The project will help us to increase the number of volunteers we have and have some dedicated staff.

“We have applied to the Heritage Lottery fund for a £400,000 grant to help pay for the project. We’ll hear in September and we’d hope to start early next year.”

Miss Mackenzie said the aim is to encourage more people to get involved with the work of the museums, from work experience pupils to modern apprenticeship placements. It is also hoped to be able to offer opportunities for people with disabilities.

Most of the current volunteer staff are retired and the service hopes this will encourage more younger people to take an interest in the town’s history.

The county’s museums hold a range of artefacts, archive and printed information, including a unique collection of more than 15,000 photographs and an internationally important geology collection.

If the project receives its funding, volunteers will work to improve the accessibility of the archives and carry out a programme of conservation and cataloguing on the Much Wenlock and Shrewsbury Borough archive and photographic collections.

They will also have the opportunity to be involved with online resources and publications, and designing exhibitions.

The service hopes that school and college students will take an interest in the project.

By Pam Griffin