BURY'S Fusilier Museum project faces a financial crisis after it lost out on a vital £350,000 grant.

An emergency meeting of the steering group behind the museum will take place next week after the setback.

Now officials are making "urgent appeals" to agencies which have supported - and rejected - the project in the past.

The Fusilier Museum Development Project had been invited to bid for a £350,000 grant by Biffaward, a distributor of the Landfill Communities Fund. But this week, project manager Rosemary Allen was told the application had been rejected.

"They did not consider that the Fusiliers project had sufficient regional or national significance to merit the award," she said.

"Instead, they have directed us to their small grants scheme under which we can make an application for £50,000. Even though this would be itself a significant contribution, the project now finds itself in crisis with a £300,000 funding gap."

The total cost of the project, to move the current Fusilier Museum from its base at Wellington Barracks in Bolton Road to the Arts and Crafts centre in Bury town centre, is £3.3 million.

Bury Council has handed over the 125-year lease on the building for free and the Heritage Lottery Fund has promised a £2 million grant, subject to the regiment finding matching funding for the remaining £1.3 million.

Under the plans, the new location in the historic Grade 11 listed building will house a collection of memorabilia from the Lancashire Fusiliers and become home to the growing collection of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The project is also benefiting from a high profile fundraising programme, including buying bricks and personal donations.

Rosemary continued: "At this very difficult time, we need this loyal support more than ever. The Fusiliers museum project is not only an important community project but is also a crucial step in the enhancement of Bury's cultural quarter and a catalyst for a continuing growth in the appeal of the town to visitors and in the quality of life for those who live here.

She pleaded: "Please continue to show us your support. An important project is at risk and our volunteers in the campaign office still have lots of bricks to sell."

Anyone with ideas about fundraising should call the museum on 764 2208 or the campaign office on either 764 2810 or 764 3459.