Internet search engine Google has announced a £550,000 donation towards the first stage of a £15m project to transform Bletchley Park into a new heritage centre.

According to the Bletchley Park Trust, the Google donation is to go towards match funding required in order to draw down a £4.6m grant confirmed by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Once the remaining support is secured, work will commence on the restoration of Huts One, Three and Six and to establish a visitor centre and exhibition in the derelict Block C.

Trust chief executive Simon Greenish said: "We are tremendously grateful to Google for bringing us considerably closer to achieving our development aims.

"This is the largest single element of the partnership funding and absolutely vital in potentially getting the project underway much sooner than might otherwise have been the case."

Details: www.bletchleypark.org.uk