Leeds' Egyptian mummy was brought to the city in 1824

Architects Austin-Smith:Lord have been appointed to develop detailed designs for the museum and a resource centre.

Radman Design of Ilkley will work on the internal displays.

The museum will be housed in the Leeds Institute building which is currently used as the Civic Theatre.

Further money

The resource centre will be located near the Royal Armouries in Clarence Dock.

Part of the funding for the project is coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund which has already promised �19.5m.

A bid for further money will be made in October.

Councillor Judith Blake, deputy leader of Leeds City Council ,said: "Since our original museum was bombed during the second world war, we haven't had a suitable replacement."

Building designs

The new museum will feature the city's collections most of which are now in storage.

As well as telling the story of Leeds, they also include a 3,000 year old Egyptian mummy, the only one of five to survive the bombing in 1942.

The resource centre will house items when they are not on show.

Designs for both buildings will be available later this year.

The resource centre is due to open in 2006 followed by the museum in 2007.