The news means exciting development plans for the museum can go ahead, to dramatically improve what it offers to its visitors, in order to keep the history of The Green Howards alive.

In 2012, the museum received an initial investment of £51,900 from the HLF to develop its plans. For almost 12 months an Interpretation Team – including architects, designers and historical experts - has been busily progressing the plans for the museum. Now the funding has come through, the museum is set for a major makeover.

In total, the redevelopment will cost £1.7million with additional funding coming from fundraising. The museum still has £150,000 to raise.

The Green Howards Museum, located in the Grade I listed Trinity Church in a conservation area in Richmond, tells the story of the illustrious Green Howards Regiment from its very beginnings to the present day and its collection spans three centuries of history in times of peace and conflict. It houses fascinating artefacts and photographs and boasts a stunning display of more than 3,750 medals and awards including Victoria Crosses and George Crosses.

New displays will be created throughout the museum, which boasts some exceptional collections – for example, the museum’s uniform collection is the most complete county regiment collection and was described by British historian, Dr David Chandler, as 'undoubtedly the finest regimental collection in the country'. There will also be interactive displays including lift-flaps and pull-out draws to make the museum more appealing to children. New facilities, including toilets and a lift, will also be installed.

The museum is also planning to employ an education officer, a post that will be shared with the Georgian Theatre and the station, and a community worker. These posts will ensure that many more people get to enjoy their local heritage. The new-look museum will prove to be a valuable resource to schools, families, researchers, community groups and societies – the education and community workers will work closely with all of these groups, to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from what the museum has to offer.

During the interpretation phase, new proposals were put forward, including plans to open the Normanby Room to the public. This stunning room, boasting a selection of beautiful, historical furniture, paintings and other artefacts, was previously only used for special meetings.

The museum will close in Autumn 2013 with refurbishments starting immediately. The museum will reopen summer / autumn 2014.

Major General Andrew Farquhar, Chairman of the Green Howards Museum Trust, said: "Everyone involved with the Green Howards’ Museum is absolutely delighted at today’s news that we have received this element of the funding required to enable our redevelopment plans can go ahead. Our distinguished regimental history goes back over more than 300 years and it is important for society today to keep those memories alive by telling our unique story in a way that matches contemporary expectations. We have a fantastic array of objects which visitors have been enjoying for many years, but once the refurbishment is complete, it will boast even more eye-catching displays and bring our story up to date with displays about the Army of today."

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber said: "This award is fantastic news for the heritage offer in Richmond, where we have also supported the Georgian Theatre Royal and Richmond Station with HLF grants for their redevelopment. We look forward to the progression of this project at the Green Howards Museum, so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy its fascinating collections for years to come."

Notes to editors

For more information about Green Howards Museum visit Green Howards Museum website or telephone 01748 826 561.

Further information

For more information about this press release or for high resolution images please contact Adella PR on 07711 610 312, email: Claudia@adellapr.com.