Barnsley is in a celebratory mood after being awarded £2.6 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the creation of a major new museum and archives centre within the Grade II listed Town Hall.

Leader of Barnsley Council Cllr Steve Houghton said: "This is fantastic news which keeps Barnsley at the forefront of urban renaissance in Yorkshire and shows the pride we have for our heritage and people.

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"Barnsley has a great story to tell about its people and what they've achieved. Bringing all this under one roof for all to see will be great for the people of Barnsley, for visitors to the borough and, importantly, for generations to come."

The proposals have been carefully designed to ensure the Town Hall, built 75 years ago, will continue to be the democratic and civic centre of Barnsley. The Portland Stone exterior will also be cleaned and restored, making the borough’s best-loved building a real landmark. Designs for the new museum, its patrons and some of the spectacular objects already discovered will be revealed in the near future at an event at the Town Hall.

(CD/JM)