NEW LIFE is to be breathed into an iconic tourist attraction thanks to a £1.7million grant.

The money, which has been granted by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will be used to transform the old barn and stables at The Whitaker museum in Rawtenstall.

Rossendale Borough Council worked alongside the venue to secure the grant, and now plan to transform the space, meaning the cafe and bar can be moved creating more space for exhibitions.

Managing Director of The Whitaker, Carl Bell, said:“The theme of the expansion is nature, society and creativity.

“We had a great belief in the whole wider project from day one and this has partly kept us going for years. The other part has been our tremendous staff, volunteers and of course our visitors and local community.

“Thank you all so much and thank you to the National Lottery players. This is another big step in the renaissance of the Valley watch this space.”

Project Manager Stephen Anderson, chairman of Valley Heritage, said: “This is a project that I am incredibly proud of and it will be a major boost to the whole of Rossendale and that is very important.”