Supporters of Weymouth Museum are celebrating after a hurdle was cleared in securing major funds and developing it as an exciting attraction.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded £76,200 to the Brwers Quay-based museum. It paves the way for plans to be progressed and an application to be made for a huge £450,000 Lottery grant.

At the centre of the plans is a major new exhibition telling the story of Weymouth and its relationship with the sea.

And it means many items which are currently stored away can be exhibited.

The lottery funding news comes after Versant Developments was granted planning permission to develop Brewers Quay with a special area set aside for the museum.

Heritage Grant applications are assessed in two rounds. Weymouth Museum has initially been granted round one development funding of £76,200 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans.

Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Lottery Fund at a second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £450,000.

Marcia Headon, Chairman of the Museum Trustees, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome and this opens up a whole new chapter for the museum. The work at Brewers Quay is due to start this month and this dovetails well with our plans.”

The plans are to provide a first-class, exciting facility that will enable the telling of the story of Weymouth through objects and stories in the collection, many of which are currently stored and not accessible.

The new museum will explore the enduring relationship between Weymouth and the sea. The museum will tell stories of the many people who have lived in the local area or have made an impact in some way.

Ms Headon said: “We want to provide displays, interpretation, interactives, activities and sensory experiences that are fun and informative and appeal to a wide range of people.”

David Riches, Museum Collections Manager, said: “In recent years we have only been able to display a very small part of the collection, in a traditional but rather un-inspiring way.

“There are some fantastic items in store, including both the bathing machine used by King George III and his bath from Gloucester Lodge. There is also the magnificent painting of the king on horseback.

“After many years of make do and mend I am really looking forward to this development supported by the National Lottery.”