A NEWLY refurbished visitor centre at Wycoller Country Park will be officially opened next week after a £121,000 transformation.

County Councillor Tim Ormrod, cabinet member for public protection and rural affairs, will join children from Trawden County Primary School, at 10.30am, for the opening of the upgraded Aisled Barn Visitor Centre.

The 16th Century barn has been transformed from a low-key visitor centre to a high quality and innovative 'flagship' centre through an architectural competition launched in late 2000 and won by Hakes Associates.

The contest was organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of the county council.

Designers were asked to provide a secure, dry and temperature controlled area in part of the building to serve as the information centre, to allow unstaffed access to the remainder of the building throughout the year with appropriately robust and secure displays, to provide a usable space capable of hosting theatre or musical productions, to provide a means for displaying information about the barn, the manor and the surrounding landscape and to improve accessibility to the barn and exhibitions to be housed there.

The £121,000 project was funded by Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Environmental Fund and the Lancashire Tourism Partnership.

Coun Ormrod said: "I am delighted to be opening this wonderful new facility. The Aisled Barn has been greatly enhanced but has lost none of its original character and features. The history surrounding the building has been truly brought to life by the displays and sympathetic architectural design.

"I am sure the work that has been undertaken here will benefit both visitors to the country park and local people. The project has not only provided a wonderful visitor centre and fascinating displays, but also includes a special stage area where theatrical and musical performances can take place.

"I am sure community groups, schools and other organisations will welcome this new centre."

The Aisled Barn is a Grade 2 listed building and the scheme was designed with this in mind, minimising the impact on the barn and harmonising with the surroundings.

An archaeological report revealed the barn to be a rich collage of historical layers, each reflecting the day to day life of its time.

Its new design features a ramp which takes people on a journey through time as they move past illuminated display walls to access the information centre. There is also full disabled access.