Fears for the future of the town’s Silk Museum have been averted after a last-minute council decision by not to reduce funding this year.

Cheshire East Council yesterday (Tuesday) said it would ‘postpone’ the reduction of its grant, which had been set to fall by £20,000 to £126,000, in response to public concern.

Museum bosses had sparked public outcry a fortnight ago when they announced the internationally-renowned Park Lane site would have to shut on Saturday because of a funding shortfall.

Hundreds signed a protest petition to save the museum organised by Macclesfield’s Chamber of Trade. The Express has also been inundated with letters and calls.

But trustees, councillors, supporters and staff gathered outside the museum to celebrate the dramatic turnaround.

Councillor Andrew Knowles, cabinet member for health and well-being, admitted he had received many passionate emails from trustees at the Silk Heritage Trust, adding that he never wanted to close the site.

"The trustees have been speaking passionately from the heart and that rings true throughout Macclesfield – it is great that the museum can now stay open for the people of Macclesfield and beyond," he said.

He added he remained hopeful about establishing a national silk centre, but that in future the council needed to work ‘very differently’ with the trust.

Coun Bill Livesley, who was appointed the first chairman of the Silk Heritage Trust in the 1980s, said: "If we want a town centre to be proud of, it had to be saved. I love the museum. People were aghast that the museum’s archive could have been lost."

Sir Nick Winterton, who has been a strong supporter of plans for a national silk centre in the town, said: "I am delighted and relieved the council has taken this decision to restore the money for this year."

He said he had appealed personally to CEC leader Wesley Fitzgerald and mayor Margaret Simon not to sanction clsoure.

Brenda King, historian and chairman of the UK Textile Society, added: "We would have lost a record of silk history that is immeasurably important. Keeping it open is brilliant news. Well done to the council. They should be commended for saving something that is internationally recognised."

Richard de Peyer, director at the Silk Heritage Trust, which runs the museum, said: "It is fantastic news. It means they are putting back £20,000, which means we will need to make only £10,000 of cuts this year and so the museum will stay open. The council has been responsive at a very critical stage in our development."