Years of hard work to build a new museum in Folkestone have finally paid off.

Almost £2 million of funding has been awarded to Folkestone Town Council for its bid to house the museum at the heart of the town, telling of its history.

The authority this week revealed a £1.95 million application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Town Hall has been successful.

Work is set to start next spring, and designs are being finalised.

A deal was struck with Kent County Council last October for the new museum to display a number of items held by the county council on a long-term loan.

Artefacts charting the town’s past, from fossils through to findings from early settlements in the area, will go on display.

This latest round of success comes following years of work to secure the future of the town’s heritage.

Town clerk Jennifer Childs said: “This is a real moment for celebration – without the funding we are certain that the Folkestone collections would have remained dispersed and lost to the town for ever.

“The new museum will be a space of inspiration, displaying the town’s heritage and art collections for all to enjoy while ensuring the artefacts are properly conserved and cared for in perpetuity.”

It is part of the council’s Folkestone HEART project, which is aiming to improve its cultural and historic assets, support the regeneration of the town and boost tourism.

The museum will be free to enter and the town council is looking to continue raising funds.

A charity has been founded to oversee the running of the museum and will organise fundraising events.

Folkestone mayor Cllr Emily Arnold said: “The construction works will begin in spring 2016 but there is still much to do before this can take place.

“We will be working with the design team and conservation experts to ensure the new museum is a place that adults and children alike can enjoy through interactive exhibits with collections that are ready for display.”

The bid was also backed by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Queen Victoria Memorial Foundation Drill Hall Trust, Arts Council, Kent County Council and a number of residents who champion Folkestone’s history.