PROGRESS looks set to be made on a long-held ambition to have a new display in Newport's museum marking one of the city's most important historical events.

Museum staff want to exhibit its objects and archive material that interprets the Chartist march in November 1839.

Now it is hoped that will be done in time for the 170th anniversary of the march this year.

But, according to a report by museums and heritage officer Mike Lewis, funding the proposal has been a challenge.

It cannot be financed from the existing budget and applications for grants have proved unsuccessful because of very specific funding criteria.

However, the museum service did have access to two reserve accounts, explained Mr Lewis.

They were set up to pay for renewing exhibitions or acquiring works of art when the cost could not be met from the budget.

He said that using the money from the exhibition renewal coffer, which currently contained just over £21,200, would ensure it was used for its designed purpose.

Mr Lewis set out three options for cabinet member Cllr Mike Hamilton * to use the reserve to fund a new display and complete the project in time for the anniversary.

* to use available funding from the revenue account for a "modest" display * to continue the search for external funding.

Cllr Hamilton decided the council should take the first course.

It was backed by Labour Cllr Bill Langsford who said the anniversary of the uprising in November, he could not think of a more worthy cause to spend the museum reserve on.

"This historical event took place in Newport and people were killed in Westgate Square in order that we should have a better life."