HERITAGE Lottery Fund director Carole Souter came to Hereford last week to see for herself how more than £4 million of grants are being spent in the county.

Mrs Souter's main port of call was the city's Waterworks Museum, which is undergoing restoration thanks in part to a £345,000 boost from the fund.

The money is helping to restore the Grade II-listed building, as well as build a new visitor centre and preserve the working Victorian pump house.

"It's fantastic to see Herefordshire's wealth of heritage preserved for everyone to discover and enjoy," said Mrs Souter.

"People may not realise that HLF makes smaller, community-based grants as well as supporting high-profile, multi-million pound projects."

One of those smaller projects is Cradley Village Hall, which Mrs Souter included in her visit.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the HLF or discussing a project idea should contact the West Midlands development team on 0121 616 6870.