A UNIQUE collection of more than 2,000 rare tools will form the centrepiece of a long-awaited museum in the New Forest.

Plans to provide Fordingbridge with its own museum in time for the millennium have been given the green light by Hampshire County Council.

Objects on display to the public will include a huge number of household, industrial and agricultural items made between 1800 and 1950.

The collection was built up by the former Shearings building company, which was based in Fordingbridge but went into receivership several years ago.

Bob Rossington, chairman of the museum trustees, said the artefacts and documents painted a unique picture of life in Fordingbridge during the past 200 years.

"It's one of the most important private collections in the county," he said.

"We intend to add to the collection and develop a comprehensive record of the area's development over the past centuries."

The museum will be housed in a Victorian building at King's Yard, off Salisbury Road.

Mr Rossington said: "It's been a long search but we are on target to achieve our aim of a museum in Fordingbridge for the year 2000.

"King's Yard is the fourth site we've actively considered - and in our view it's the best."

County council spokesman Malcolm Ball said the building, formerly occupied by New Forest Health Hydro, would provide 1,800 square feet of museum space.

County council leader Ken Thornber said he was delighted that a permanent home had been found for the Shearing collection.

He said: "The collection gives us a rare insight into one Hampshire family's domestic and working activities over 150 years."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.