The aim of the project is to create Community Finds Recording Teams by recruiting and training new volunteers from local communities around England and Wales. These teams will work with their regional Find Liaison Officers (FLO) to record local finds onto the PAS database. They will also promote the activities of the PAS to new audiences in their areas, and recruit others to volunteer with the PAS and engage deeply with the history and archaeology of their local areas.

The project will lead to new data being generated for the PAS website, and dedicated project staff will monitor the information recorded to ensure it is of a high standard to all who need it. As part of the project a new section of the PAS website will be developed, which will be devoted to the work of the Community Finds Recording Teams and to the history and archaeology of their local areas.

Development of the project will start in April 2013, working towards a second-round submission to HLF in order to receive a final decision on funding. If successful, the project will run for five years.

This new PAS project is one of a number of initiatives at the British Museum supported by HLF, including the Future Curators training scheme and the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre. The museum is extremely grateful for this continued support, and looks forward to working with HLF in developing its PAS second-round application.

Sue Bowers, Head of HLF London, said: "The Heritage Lottery Fund is pleased to be giving initial support towards this project, which if successful will greatly enhance the important work that the Portable Antiquities Scheme provides across the UK. We are looking forward to working closely with the British Museum as they develop their proposals further."

Further information

Claire Costin, The Portable Antiquities Scheme on 020 7323 8618 or ccostin@britishmuseum.org.

Vicky Wilford, HLF press office on 020 7591 6046 or vickyw@hlf.org.uk.