A regional museum project in the north west has secured £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Coleraine Borough Council said the redevelopment of the historic Market Yard will create a new public space for the local community, and contribute to the regeneration of the town.

The proposals for the interpretive fit out of a new regional museum secured an HLF Round One pass of £500,000.

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The council was also awarded a development grant of £50,000, which will be used to develop the project for Round Two submission in 2010.

In addition to the museum, the Market Yard will house a library, tourist information services, café and public event space.

Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan said: "We were impressed with the proposals for the permanent 'Irish History Starts Here' exhibition and the excellent plans for community engagement and participation.

"Having offered our initial support to the project, detailed plans can now be developed to ensure the community is once again placed at the heart of the Market Yard."

A council spokesman added: "Now the process of developing the interpretative fit out to the next level begins in earnest."

(PR/KMcA)