THE MAN who will mastermind the biggest development in the 40-year-plus history of the popular Ryedale Folk Museum, at Hutton-le-Hole, believes it will enjoy even more success in the future.

Mick Kruppa has become curator of the museum, which now covers three acres and is one of the best known tourist attractions in North Yorkshire.

Blackburn-born Mr Kruppa became senior project manager in the archaeology unit at the University of Lancaster where he studied for his degree and worked on a number of key schemes, including Kendal Castle, Jervaulx Abbey and The Hotties World of Glass at St Helen's.

He later moved to the archaeology department of Exeter City Council, working in geographical information systems, before becoming a professional surveyor and engineer with Allerdale Borough Council in Cumbria and, more recently, community conservation officer with the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Work on the museum's ambitious scheme to provide a new gallery, workshops, restoration of The Manor House, and provide storage and exhibition space, costing just under £500,000, is expected to start shortly and take between 18 months and two years to complete.

"The scheme will add to the museum's reputation. It will provide more access for research and display areas because, like most museums, we are only able to exhibit a small percentage of our total material," said Mr Kruppa.

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, June 25, 2003