NORTHWICH and north west businesses have come in force to back the Lion Salt Works Museum bid to become the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded project.

The museum is the only site shortlisted in the region for the National Lottery’s Heritage Project, and beat more than 600 other sites to get to the shortlist.

To win the best Heritage project of the 2016 National Lottery Awards, it must now win a nationwide vote against six other projects.

To vote for the museum go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or call 0844 836 9674 by midnight on July 20.

Jane Hough from Northwich BID said: "The Northwich BID and Northwich businesses are delighted by the ongoing success of the Lion Salt Works Museum, and I would encourage everyone to vote for the Museum.

“To have a local attraction short-listed for a national award is a tremendous boost for Northwich and surrounding area.

“It reinforces the town's reputation as a tourist hub and in particular its salt story through the Saltscape Trail in Northwich Woodlands, the Weaver Hall Museum and the outstanding Anderton Boat Lift."

Gordon Dunn, managing director of Compass Minerals, the UK's largest rock salt mine located in Winsford, said: "Open-pan, salt-making, where brine was boiled to produce crystals is very different from the salt mining that takes place at our mine today. But we have huge respect for the people who worked in this skilled salt-related business.

“I hope anyone who has worked in salt, or in any allied industries, will show their support for this excellent museum by voting for it."

Richard Redman from Tata Chemicals, said: “Cheshire salt is inextricably linked to the economic success of Northwich and Cheshire.

“The original Brunner Mond and Company was formed in 1873 in Northwich as a direct result of being near to one of its key ingredients - salt. It grew and amalgamated to form multi-national Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) before being bought by TATA Chemicals in 2004.

“Through the years, this salt inheritance has created jobs and success for this area.

“I am delighted that the Lion Salt Works Museum was saved to be a permanent reminder of open-pan salt-making in this area and has been nominated for the prestigious National Lottery Awards. We hope everyone will vote for them."

Ed Salt, managing director, Delamere Dairy, Knutsford, said: "I'm called Salt, live in Cheshire and had a tour of the museum when it first opened.

“It’s great that salt - a key ingredient for life - has a museum devoted to it. Salt is a present in almost all cheeses and Cheshire's salt is part of the secret of Cheshire's global cheese reputation."

Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “It is heart-warming to know that we have the support of regional and local businesses. But we know that every vote counts.

“If you are reading this article and have not voted, I would urge you to do so. Winning this award would be a great boost not just to the museum but also to the region.”