The future of Helston Museum looks to be preserved with news that it is to receive a share of almost £2.5million.

The free-to-visit tourist attraction in Church Street, which has seen a huge increase in visitor numbers over the last couple of years, has also been included in the Arts Council’s National Portfolio of supported organisations.

All seven members of the Cornwall Museums Partnership, which Helston is among, have been included, with the funding from the Council meaning they can now go on to provide better exhibitions, improve digital resources and host even more educational visits and events.

Annette MacTavish, director of Helston Museum said “We are delighted to have secured such significant funding. Helston Museum is supported by an amazing team of volunteers and this moment is a celebration of all they have achieved.

“The funding will allow us to further research, share and care for our important collections and in addition create new jobs. I am excited about working together with the partner museums to continue the wonderful work of Cornwall Museums Partnership.”

Also benefitting from the £2.44million will be the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno, Penlee House in Penzance, Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro, Falmouth Art Gallery, Cornwall’s Regimental Museum in Bodmin and Wheal Martyn in St Austell.

Phil Gibby, area director in the south west for Arts Council England, welcomed the opportunity given by the funding to bring Helston Museum and Bodmin’s regimental museum into the partnership, adding: “The museums’ consortium model is nationally recognised and their skills in widening audiences and engaging people across the county and beyond are exemplary.”

Helston Museum was taken over by the South Kerrier Heritage Trust in 2013 and since then has seen a surge in popularity, as well as in the range of events it holds – in particular activities for children, in and out of school time.

Although the museum was founded in 1949, the building was originally designed as the town's Market House in 1837, with two separate buildings - one for butter and eggs, the other the meat market, and retains the original sloping granite floor. The museum expanded into the meat market in the early 1980s, then into the adjoining Drill Hall in 1999.

Other arts organisations in Cornwall who are to receive Arts Council funding this time around include The Hall for Cornwall Trust, Miracle Theatre, Kneehigh Theatre, Creative Kernow Ltd, Leach Pottery and Newlyn Art Gallery.