The Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro is one stop closer to becoming a key cultural attraction in the South West, as it received a major funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The HLF award is a significant milestone for the museum, as it supports the creation of a future plan for the establishment, which celebrates outstanding Cornish heritage and which meets the needs of visitors head on.

Thanks to the HLF, a competitive tender process for a significant contract has resulted in three organisations now being appointed who will consider the visitor experience and how the museum might be adapted.

Perfect Moment Culture & Heritage Consultants, Purcell Architects and tricolor Associates, a specialist in heritage interpretation and audience development, will be working on plans that bring the museum into the 21st century.

Ian Wall, director of the Royal Cornwall Museum, said: "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund which will be added to existing funding from Arts Council England, and delighted at the appointment of the Design Team to help realise our aims.

"The museum is a custodian of extremely rare objects linked to a rich history especially representing Cornwall’s heritage.

"With this support the museum is on its first step to develop the museum into a ‘must see attraction".

Nerys Watts, head of HLF South West, said: "From Cornish miners, to exploring Cornwall’s unusual relationship with the wider world through one of the most significant emigrations of the 19th Century, the Royal Cornwall Museum can tell us a lot about Cornwall’s story.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will equip the museum with the skills it needs to rejuvenate the museum so it can be enjoyed and explored by many more people."