A MULTI million-pound project that will transform an Oxford museum was formally given the go-ahead by senior councillors.

The Museum of Oxford’s Hidden Histories programme will increase the size for exhibitions at the Town Hall by three.

All items will be devoted to the city’s people.

The council secured £1.7m of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the council will invest £2.6m of its own money transforming the museum.

The project could be completed by 2020, with building set to start next year.

The Old Museum, which closed in 2011, will be reopened and knocked through into the current museum and part of its basement redeveloped.

A new entrance will be installed from the Town Hall foyer and there will be a new space for art exhibitions as well as a 'museum makers room' for schoolchildren and other visitors to handle artefacts.

The facilities for the museum’s 100-plus volunteers will also be improved and a shop and reception desk created.

Councillor Dee Sinclair, the council’s executive board member for culture and communities, said: “This is very exciting news for the people of Oxford City.

"There are several museums in Oxford but not one to tell the stories of the Oxford people, communities and businesses.

“This gives us a great chance to shine a light on the hidden history of the city and create a People’s Museum where many more groups can see their contribution given a modern showcase.”

Plans for the museum were first unveiled in September 2015 after visitors said in a consultation that they wanted more space.

There was also asbestos and damp found in the Old Museum's basement when recent reports were compiled.