Herefordshire Council has secured an offer of more than £1.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the cost of constructing the next phase of a new state-of-the-art home for the county's heritage.

The funding, which is subject to further details of the project and funding from the council, will mean the creation of a learning centre and new and improved storage for the collections at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre in Hereford's Friars Street.

It is the final stage of the ambitious plan to give the county's heritage a home fit for the 21st Century.

Once the work is finished, all of the county's extensive collections will be cared for and accessible at the one facility offering a wide range of educational activities.

Staff were consulted widely in preparing a detailed bid for the work, submitted last summer. This was followed by an assessment of the bid by HLF's West Midlands Committee.

News of the successful bid has come within weeks of the official opening of phases one and two, which were also funded by HLF.

Over the next few months, the project team will work on the detailed business plans for the project and will submit these back to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a final decision.

Commenting on the award, HLF's regional manager Anne Jenkins said: "We've already funded the refurbishment of the Friar Street Centre. Following the successful completion of these works, our attention has turned to the inadequate storage of the collection.

"At the moment, it is very difficult for people to visit it, especially for people with mobility difficulties.

"This award will change all of that by providing much better storage facilities allowing the museum to care for its collection and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

"The money will also fund the creation of a learning centre which will provide space for visitors to learn about, and appreciate, the collection.

"Local people and school children will be invited to attend a range of activities designed to encourage them to learn about history in a fun and memorable way."

Subject to Herefordshire Council agreeing to fund its cost of the project, building work could start in spring next year.