Work begins shortly on Woodhorn Colliery

The scheme will see Ashington's Woodhorn Colliery transformed into the Experience Northumberland project - a 19th Century colliery museum.

A spectacular building with a serrated roof to portray coal cutting machinery will be the focal point.

The project has received a �10m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

'National importance'

The project is backed by the county council in partnership with Wansbeck District Council, and also supported financially by Northumberland Strategic Partnership, Northern Rock and Coalfield Regeneration Trust.

It is hoped the site will attract up to 75,000 visitors a year and create 200 jobs.

The museum will feature images, books, documents, the Pitmen Painters collection, the Northumberland miners' banners and the county archives.

It is hoped the restored complex will become a major educational centre as well as a heritage attraction.

Northumberland County Council leader Michael Davey said: "We are pleased to have been able to agree on a way forward today for the Woodhorn site.

"It will be a unique cultural attraction for local people and visitors, and the most important heritage regeneration initiative in the North East, providing skills and employment in one of the most deprived districts in the country."

Wansbeck District Council leader John Devon said: "Woodhorn is going to be an amenity of such national importance that we are sure it will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this area."