THE new £1.5million wing at Towneley Hall, Burnley, is to be officially opened on Friday.

The new building contains multimedia and audio displays, improved lighting, lifts to the art galleries and a shop.

Towneley Hall museum curator Susan Bourne said: "The new wing will mean that visitors have a first-class day out whenever they visit Towneley Hall."

The historic hall was given a new lease of life thanks to a £1.1million Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The new wing has been built on to the council-owned Grade I listed country house on the site of a demolished service wing.

Rooms which have been used as offices for years will be opened to the public and there will be new displays throughout the hall, including interactive computer displays and new education services.

The project was also given a lift by a grant of £112,500 from the Lancashire Tourism Partnership.

A spokesman for the partnership said: "Upgrading this key heritage attraction will allow even more visitors to enjoy one of the real jewels in East Lancashire's crown."

The extension will allow many valuable collections, some kept in store for over 50 years, to go back on public display.