AN organisation dedicated to promoting the “national treasure” of Stourbridge glass is set to launch in Hagley.

The British Glass Foundation is a charity set up to lobby for maximum exposure of the borough glass collection and archives.

The collection is currently housed at Himley Hall and in the closure-threatened Broadfield House Glass Museum in Kingswinford.

A British Glass Foundation spokesperson said: “The collections and archive are a national treasure which we believe, in these uncertain economic times, should not disappear from public view, more of the collections should be available and the existing facility should not be downgraded.

“The collections should have a worthy home and reflect the rich history of Stourbridge glass, as well as being a beacon of glassmaking, design, architecture, conservation, acquisitions, education and tourism.”

The British Glass Foundation will officially launch at Hagley Hall on Wednesday November 24.

Their board of trustees includes Stephen Pollock-Hill, president of British Glass 2010, historian and British glass expert Charles Hajdamach, David Williams-Thomas of the Stevens and Williams glass family of Stourbridge and Graham Knowles,president of Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum.

A Dudley Council study is currently under way to consider possible new sites to house and exhibit the collection within the Stourbridge Glass Quarter.