Council chiefs have hailed the opening of Warrington Museum's two new galleries as the first step towards establishing a cultural quarter in the town.
Borough leaders and members of Warrington's arts community attended the official launch of the Earth History and the Plants and Trees galleries last week.
A £197,000 investment has prepared the geology and botany departments for the approach of the 21st century.
Clr Terry Whelan, chairman of the Cultural Development Sub-committee, said: "It is the first step in our attempts to build a cultural quarter in the town. The work on the arts centre, which will be based in this area, will begin in May and should be open next year."
He also mentioned the planned improvements in Buttermarket Street, which will see public works of art on display.
The opening of the galleries is complemented by an exhibition in the Community Gallery called Mother Earth. It features work by pupils from Lymm High School inspired by the geology and botany collections.
More arts news on Page 11
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