We are committed to supporting all museums in Wales to make appropriate partnerships with the National Museums and Galleries of Wales

John Marjoram, Acting Director for the Council of Museums in Wales

Under the scheme the National Museums and Galleries of Wales is being urged to offer items on loan from their collections to smaller establishments throughout the country.

Forty thousand pounds is being allocated to the scheme called Cyfoeth Cymru Gyfan - Sharing The Treasures by the Welsh Assembly.

The initiative aims to assist local museums across Wales to establish partnerships to facilitate the loan of items from the national collections.

The three museums selected to pilot the project are Wrexham County Borough Museum, Oriel Ynys Mon on Anglesey and Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery in Brecon.

John Marjoram, Acting Director for the Council of Museums in Wales, said: "We are very pleased to be the channel for funding by the Welsh Assembly.

Appropriate partnerships

"We are committed to supporting all museums in Wales to make appropriate partnerships with the National Museums and Galleries of Wales."

Alan Watkin, Head of Libraries and Culture in Wrexham, added: "We welcome the potential of Wrexham to develop as a major regional partner for the National Museums and Galleries of Wales."

It is hoped that the profile of museums throughout Wales will be increased through the project.