A NEW Bromyard centre that will store and exhibit historical archives is taking shape.

While a Lottery grant of £92,000 paid for major construction work to convert the old County Cookers building on Sherford Street, about 20 volunteers from Bromyard Historical Society have been painting and decorating their new centre.

Once the decoration is complete, work will begin to move over all the documents and photographs presently stored in the society's cramped Little Hereford Street office.

Society chairman Alex Hoyle said they hoped to have an inaugural party for members on May 21 and before a grand public opening in June or July.