With 53,000 visitors a year, the Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage is one of the town’s main attractions.

So it is pleasing to hear that the future of the museum is now being safeguarded with a £500,000 redevelopment.

The good news is particularly welcome after fears were raised last year that the museum could close if £200,000 was not raised to fund a two-storey extension.

Town residents and those living further afield will be delighted to hear that work has now started on the extension after trustees raised £280,000 from grants and legacies.

The new facility will provide much-needed new storage space and a revamped café and gallery.

Chairman of trustees Terry Fraser says he is confident the remaining funds can be found, but there is still some way to go before the target is reached.

However, this is a welcome start.