IT might look like as if it could have played a minor role in Brideshead Revisited, but if the campaign to restore Pinner's West House is successful, it will certainly be visited many times in the future.

The house in Pinner Memorial Park, off West End Lane, formerly the home of Admiral Lord Nelson's grandson, fell into a dilapidated state after World War Two when it was given in trust to Harrow Council, which finally closed it in 1990.

For the last three years, the West House and the Heath Robinson Museum Trust, an appeal organised by local people to renovate the building, has worked towards having it converted into a museum for the works of the artist William Heath Robinson, who lived in Pinner for a time.

Martin Verden, chairman of the appeal's fundraising committee, said: "We've raised £260,000 so far and our immediate goal is £400,000.

"That will enable us to start stage one, the building of a wrap-around glass fronted cafe overlooking the park.

"The harness room is already used for small exhibitions. Under the plan, the current toilets will be moved and the Heath Robinson exhibition will eventually take their place."

The plans for West House have been drawn up by architect Ptolemy Dean, who starred in the BBC2 TV series Restoration. Surprisingly, the house would not have been eligible for that programme as it is not a listed building.

Although it has been under council control since 1948, the house and park are owned by the people of Pinner who bought it to commemorate the village's war dead. For this reason, the planned museum will also host Pinner's Books of Remembrance, currently kept at the Civic Centre.

Once the work is completed, it has been agreed that the William Heath Robinson Trust will hand over nearly 500 of the artists' works, which were collected by his daughter Joan Brinsmead.

The house will be a permanent home for the collection, which has been exhibited up and down the country and which will visit Harrow next year.

Another committee member, Helen Potts, explained that West House was a fitting home for a Heath Robinson museum because of the local connection.

"He lived in Moss Lane during World War One, and before that in Hatch End," she said.

"The George pub in Marsh Lane was where his society, the Frothfinders used to meet, and the pub was briefly called the Frothfinders and Firkin."

She said that the artist's popularity would make the museum a tourist attraction.

"Most people think only of the funny cartoons, but he was actually a very fine illustrator," Helen said.

"For example, he drew the pictures for Charles Kingsley's book The Water Babies. He has a large following in Japan and America, so perhaps the museum will attract the tourists from there to Pinner."

The appeal has been boosted by the decision of the new Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Lurline Champagnie, who represents Pinner on the council, to designated it as one of her two charities during her term of office.

There are now more than a hundred Friends of West House who have supported the project with donations and fundraising, and regular events take place in Pinner to help the appeal.

The next will be an open gardens day on June 20, when three historic Pinner houses will open their gardens to the public: the Grange in Church Lane, and The Fives Court and East End House, both in Moss Lane.

Visitors will be able to enjoy tea and refreshments in the beautiful surroundings and there will be plant sales. Anyone interested should call Helen on 020 8866 9013.

For further information about the appeal, visit www.pinnerassociation.co.uk, or send donations to: The Treasurer, Heath Robinson Museum Trust, 179 Moss Lane, Pinner, HA5 3AL.