Years of hard work build a brand new museum in Folkestone has paid off.

Funding has been awarded to Folkestone Town Council for its bid to house the museum telling of Folkestone's history at the heart of the town.

The authority today revealed its £1.95 million application for the Town Hall to the Heritage Lottery Fund has been successful.

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

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

"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 forever." Town clerk Jennifer Childs

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

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

Artefacts charting the town's past from fossils through to early settlements in the area from a number of archaeological digs will go on display.

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 forever.

"The new museum will be a space of inspiration, displaying the town’s heritage and art collections for all to enjoy whilst 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 Folkestone's cultural and historic assets and support the regeneration of the town to boost tourism.

MP Damian Collins welcomed the "fantastic news for Folkestone" adding: "Our town has a great history and this award will make it more accessible to local people and visitors.

"Last year, Folkestone marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with an exhibition at the Town Hall held jointly with the National Army Museum and the opening of the Step Short commemorative arch.

"These events showed how Folkestone is proud to mark major moments in its history in a significant way.

"With this award to Folkestone Town Council, we can plan for more major events and exhibitions in the future."

Mayor of Folkestone Cllr Emily Arnold said: "The construction works will begin in the 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."

A charity has been founded to oversee the running of the museum and will organise fundraising events which the community can get involved with.

The bid was backed by other organisations including 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.