A MUSEUM has been boosted by the news that it has received Full Accreditation from the Arts Council.

Royston Museum and Art Gallery has achieved the award, which recognises the high standard of service it offers to visitors, for a second time. It first got full accreditation in 2008.

Curator Carole Kaszak said: “It is a national scheme for museums which was recently taken over by the Arts Council.

“They raised the required standard even further so a great deal of hard work has gone into not only maintaining the standard but striving to make the museum an even better amenity for the community.

“We’re really delighted to get it again, and it opens a lot of doors for us in terms of funding. Most grants will ask that you be accredited, and you also need it if you want lottery funding.”

The museum, which played an active part in the Royston 2012: A Year of Celebrations programme, which marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics, is currently playing host to a new exhibition put together by Mike Lawrence, entitled We Used to Shop Here.

Mrs Kaszak added: “It is a reproduction of photos of the changing face of Royston High Street in the last 50 years.

“It is fascinating to see the range of shops in the High Street over the years; it went on show last Saturday as part of the permanent display and it is already jogging people’s memories.”

The museum is open from 10am-4.45pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and admission is free.