ONE of the region's museums will start a fresh venture tomorrow in a Grade II listed city centre building.

The National Railway Museum (NRM), in York, is opening a shop in St Helen's Square, signalling phase two of its retail renovation works.

The shop, which has been refurbished and renovated, is best known for being the Terry's confectionery premises back in the 1800s.

By the 1840s, Joseph Terry was sending his chocolate products to 75 towns all over the North of England, into the Midlands and as far south as Luton and London.

More than 150 years on, the NRM hopes the site will attract more visitors to the award-winning attraction.

Graham Stratfold, head of visitor services at the NRM, said: "Historically, York is famous for many things but in particular for being at the at the hub of rail development and also for being at the centre of the confectionery industry.

"So it is very appropriate that our first presence within the city centre is at the former Terry's shop."

The shop at the museum has already undergone a complete refit. Staff hope the new outlet will be equally as successful.

"It will be selling many of the already popular merchandise from our current shop, which offers nearly 3,000 lines, from Mallard tea-pots to experimental Steam Tractor Kits."

The store opens for business at 9.30am tomorrow.

The NRM is open daily from 10am to 6pm and admission is free