Enhanced view of the ibex carving

The 12,000-year-old carvings of ibex and horses at Creswell Crags gorge and cave complex were discovered by European cave art specialists in 2003.

Ian Wall, visitor operations manager, says the centre is hoping to get �4m in funding to upgrade facilities.

A conference of rock art specialists from around Europe is being held at Creswell from 15 to 17 April.

Limited tours

"We have applied for Heritage Lottery Fund and hope to have an answer about that money and matching funding by the end of the summer.

We know they were running around hunting animals, but this provides a tangible direct link with their counterparts in mainland Europe Ian Wall, Creswell Crags

"We hope to have a closed circuit television system installed so people could interact with the site remotely from a museum education centre," Mr Wall said.

"But having a first-hand experience by coming to the cave itself is important."

Tours of the caves located on the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire will take place during the conference - but normally visitors are not allowed to see the artwork in person.

'Absolutely superb'

Jon Humble, of English Heritage, said: "The art came from 500 generations ago and there was no English Channel at that time - there was a land bridge.

CRESWELL CRAGS ART The engravings do not have the sophistication of French and Spanish cave art In pictures

"We know they were running around hunting animals, but this provides a tangible direct link with their counterparts in mainland Europe."

One visitor said: "They were very clever to find those things on the walls - they are absolutely superb.

"But to think how long people have been going past and not noticing them is quite amazing."