A COUNCIL has published a breakdown of financial help totalling more than £70,000 it says it has given a museum.

The figures were made public by Richmondshire District Council after Richmondshire Museum bosses disputed suggestions it had received the support.

The council figures indicate the museum has received £3,365 in discretionary rate relief, £10,506 in capital grants, £45,405 in rent-free occupation relief, £9,439 from miscellaneous project funding and £3,500 from the museum development fund. A further £9,300-worth of officer time has been devoted to the museum, the council says.

But museum chairman Mike Wood said: "I haven't a clue what the officer time was, as I don't think we've had any, and I don't know what miscellaneous project funding is."

The council has announced it plans to sell 33 Frenchgate, in Richmond, including rooms in the building used by the museum, to pay for its new headquarters. Museum volunteers have threatened to apply for squatters' rights.