A museum that showcases more than 200,000 years of local history is set for a major overhaul.

Redbridge Museum has been granted almost £100,000 in funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the cash will be used to improve exhibits and give visitors more access to historical artifacts.

The museum, based at Redbridge Central Library, will have its permanent exhibition that celebrates local history revamped and more family-friendly interactive displays will make an appearance.

Visitors will also be able to explore the museum’s archives at the Redbridge Heritage Centre next door thanks to the new funding.

The grant, won by Vision RCL, which manages the museum for the council, is on top of a further £60,000 from other sources to support the project.

A public consultation will also be launched soon to find out what residents would like to see in the museum and what sort of displays they would prefer.

Redbridge Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal said: “These plans will ensure Redbridge Museum continues to be a source of civic pride for local residents, an educational resource for local schools, a space for informal learning by a wide range of community groups and a place of wonder and enjoyment for local families and visitors.

“I look forward to seeing the developments.”

Stuart Hobley, area director for London & South from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to support Redbridge Museum to work with local people to research and better celebrate the area’s heritage.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, new permanent displays will explore everything from Ice Age Ilford, to Redbridge’s links to the East India Company, to more recent stories of its diverse local community.”

The public consultation will begin this summer with design work during 2020. The current museum is scheduled to close in autumn 2020 and reopen in spring 2021.