ORGANISERS behind a project to give a Dunster attraction a 21st century home have launched an appeal for support.

The Dunster Museum and Doll Collection, which is based in the village's Memorial Hall, has already benefited from a £35,000 investment in recent months, with the money raised through grants and fundraising in less than two years.

This has enabled the 2,000-strong doll collection to be revamped and a small local history museum to be created, along with a small shop and office space.

The hall now also boasts a meeting room/library for villagers and local businesses with free wi-fi and tea/coffee making facilities, a restyled Victorian billiards room, disabled access, disabled toilet with baby changing facilities, upgraded kitchen and newly decorated committee room.

But now the band of volunteers that has been spearheading the improvements is hoping the local community will show its support for a further £60,000 project to build a mezzanine floor between the ground and first floors.

The new addition would increase the size of the display space in the hall and allow supporters to complete their dream of achieving a modern museum to reflect Dunster's history.

Organisers are hoping to secure Heritage Lottery funding to cover the cost of the work, which would include additional display units, but need to demonstrate the scheme has the full backing of the local community.

So they are launching a Friends, Members and Supporters group to give people the chance to show their support in a variety of ways.

Steering group secretary Doug Challoner said people would be able to pay an annual subscription ranging from £5 to £50 in return for benefits ranging from a newsletter to cheaper hiring rates for the hall facilities.

"There's about ten of us on the committee but we're hoping that this new group will bring in additional support," he said.

"We always need people to help fund-raise and we always need volunteers to be on duty when the museum and doll collection is open.

"We've done a lot of work already and we believe this next part of the project is achievable.

"If anyone can commit to being a friend, member or supporter, it will show the Heritage Lottery Fund that Dunster can offer a magnificent and much needed new amenity which will provide fun and education for villagers, visitors and particularly children."

Anyone willing to join the new group or offer any other help can contact Mr Challoner on 01643 822225.

The museum and doll collection will open for the season on April 12 and will be open daily from 11am to 3pm.