Plans to turn a disused waterworks building into a community centre have received a cash boost after funding for its redevelopment was confirmed.

Money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund has been given to Medway Council to bring a new lease of life to the Grade II-listed building in Chatham High Street.

It was originally built in 1810 over the top of a natural spring and is known locally as the "white castle".

Other areas in need of redevelopment have been highlighted across the intra-area between Star Hill, Rochester and Sun Pier, Chatham, including the former hospital mortuary.

As one of 12 new Heritage Development Trusts, Medway Council will receive a share of £5 million from the two funds to help it scale up its operations, looking to help support community projects in the area.

This isn’t, however, the first sum of money this area has received.

Chatham House itself has been recently renovated and the old St Bart's Hospital behind it in Rochester has been turned into luxury flats.

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: “I am over the moon that Medway’s funding bid to support the community has been approved.

“This funding will help give purpose to the unique, yet currently derelict, Waterworks building and convert it into a community space.

“This project supports our ongoing work to revive this historic high street whilst preserving history and creating cultural opportunities for our residents, and I’d like to thank the Old High Street Intra Cultural Consortium who will be taking this project on.”

Matthew Mckeague, chief executive of the Architectural Heritage Fund, said: “We’ve already seen the many benefits this work can bring to communities across the country.

“Our partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund is an important commitment to continuing this work in 12 more areas of the UK by giving more people the funding they need to work together to save and restore their most historic and at-risk local buildings.

“We’re very grateful to the Heritage Fund for this partnership, and to National Lottery players for making it possible.”