Lancashire County Council (LCC), Preston City Council (PCC) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) have joined forces to keep the National Football Museum in Preston.

In September, Manchester City Council (MCC) confirmed that it was in talks with trustees of the museum over the possibility of relocating the attraction to the Urbis centre in order to safeguard its long-term future. However, trustees will now consider the multi-million pound package put together by LCC, PCC and UCLAN, which will provide immediate investment and features plans to attract sponsors, increase visitor numbers and revamp exhibition spaces.

The package will see £400,000 invested to make up for a funding shortfall, while a further £3m would be needed to refurbish the attraction, subject to a business case. Match funding could also be secured from the North West Regional Development Agency. PCC leader Ken Hudson said: "The National Football Museum belongs in Preston and we are doing everything possible to keep the museum right here in the city.

"Our proposal guarantees the National Football Museum financial security and a real platform for even greater success in the future. We have gone out of our way to try and convince the trustees that there is simply no need to move from Preston." LCC leader Geoff Driver added: "The plan we've put on the table is a strong commitment by the three leading public bodies in Preston. It will deal with the immediate funding shortfall and at the same time bring our significant resources to bear on giving the museum a permanent future in Preston where it belongs."