A VISITOR attraction in the North-East has received a £500,000 grant to help take tourists back in time.

The funding, from the Garfield Weston Foundation, is for the Remaking Beamish project, which includes plans for a 1950s Town and a Georgian coaching inn where visitors can stay overnight.

The museum team is leading a campaign to secure match funding for a £10.75million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Richard Evans, Beamish’s director, said: “I’m delighted to say that this is the largest match funding award to date.

“It’s great to see the foundation play such a decisive role in the project, which will help us to create an even more sustainable museum to be enjoyed by generations to come.”

The £17 million Remaking Beamish project features a 1950s Town, including cinema, homes, shops, community centre and cafe.

Aged miners’ homes will provide a dedicated centre for people living with dementia and their families and carers.

The expansion of the museum’s Georgian area includes craftsmen’s cottages and the coaching inn.

Some of the buildings will be moved to the museum, while others will be replicas of buildings from around the region.

Philippa Charles, chief executive of the Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “The foundation is delighted to be supporting the Remaking Beamish project, which will significantly add to the already excellent visitor experience at Beamish.

“What’s so exciting about the scheme is the wide-ranging social and economic benefits it will create for communities in the North-East, from involving local people in the design and development of the new exhibits to creating 95 new jobs on completion and supporting 50 apprenticeships.

“We are proud to be supporting such an innovative and impactful scheme.”