The doors to the Great North Museum in Newcastle have just reopened to the public following Kier North East's successful completion of an £11.5m rebuild project.

Kier North East's rebuild of the museum, which celebrates 500 million years of evolution, proved a major challenge because of its Grade II listed building status. The team had to use building materials in keeping with its 19th century roots, including lime and horse hair in the plaster and pure lead tiling on the roof.

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The project, which saw Kier Plant provide the site accommodation and Kier Engineering Services design the temporary works, included the construction of an extension to the rear, creating 11 new galleries with 5,500sq m of display area for the museum’s priceless collections and exhibits – highlights of which include a large interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall, mummies from Ancient Egypt and a life-size T Rex dinosaur skeleton.

Kier North East Regional Director Steve Flint said: "We are proud to have been associated with delivering such a prestigious building for the north-east. I know the public will be delighted with what they see and will enjoy the building and its wonderful exhibitions for many years to come."

(CD/JM)