A GRIFFITHSTOWN museum owner has challenged Torfaen council over a £10,000 cheque earmarked for the museum by developers.

Persimmon Homes applied to build 149 houses on the Station Road site around the Griffithstown Railway museum and they agreed to pay £10,000 towards the cost of improving visitor/staff access and car parking.

Owner Martin Fay set up the museum and has single-handedly continued to run it with growing success over the last 12 years.

"The senior land manager at Persimmon told me 11 months ago they had sent the cheque to Torfaen. All I want to know is why are they holding that money and I would like to ask are they using this money for something else and if they haven't then why haven't they given it out?" said Mr Fay. The museum houses a fantastic collection of railway memorabilia, which Mr Fay has painstakingly sourced.

"We are a voluntary organisation and have never asked the council for money, we have continued to keep the museum open. If this money to do the improvements were council taxpayers money I wouldn't want it. I have come this far without help from anyone except Pontypool Community Council.

"I have co-operated with all the plans along the way but am confused as to why the money hasn't been forthcoming," he added.

As part of the agreement Persimmon also agreed to make a contribution of £245,000 to spend on leisure and amenity provision and improvement in the area.

A council spokesman said: "Torfaen council received the £10,000 cheque from Persimmon Homes in April last year and once Mr Fay has submitted detailed proposals, with costings it will be possible for the work to continue."