A MEDICAL museum in Worcester is one of the first Lottery-funded projects in Britain to be recognised for improving the local historical landscape.

The George Marshall Museum of Medicine, which contains some of the most important medical collections outside London, has been issued with a National Lottery Blue Plaque.

The museum, based in the Charles Hastings Education Centre at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, was opened in January - thanks to a £321,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The original collection was developed and housed in the former postgraduate medical centre at Ronkswood Hospital by former surgeon George Marshall.

The move of the collection to the new hospital site gave the museum's curators a chance to establish it and open it to the public.

"The grant we received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has made a significant difference to us and has enabled us not only to re-house the museum in a more fitting location but also to upgrade all of the displays," said museum spokesman Phillip Morris.

"The theme of the collection now has appeal for the public and fits with the national curriculum, as well as remaining of interest to the medical profession.

"We are very grateful for the support we have been given."

The museum offers a unique insight into the period of history associated with Worcester through Sir Charles Hastings, who founded the British Medical Association at the old Worcester Royal Infirmary.

The museum is now one of the first establishments to be issued one of 10,000 blue plaques sponsored by the National Lottery operator Camelot.

The plaques will be distributed to Lottery-funded venues across Britain by the 10th anniversary of The National Lottery in November 2004.

"We are aware how crucial it is to communicate to the playing public where their money has gone," said Camelot chief executive Dianne Thompson.

"Lottery players have raised a phenomenal £14bn for good causes - they have a right to know where their money is going.

"We are delighted the blue plaques with the crossed fingers logo will appear on Lottery-funded projects so the public can see exactly how their money has been spent and how they have helped transform communities throughout the UK."