Plans for a new museum, gallery and library at the Beaney Institute building in Canterbury has received a £5.98m funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The HLF grant will go towards a £11.6m regeneration project that will see the Grade II-listed Beaney Institute receive a new rear extension to create more gallery space.

The institute first opened to the public as a museum in 1899 and houses more than two million books, Old Master drawings and European oil paintings in its collection.

The project is a joint venture between Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council.

Mike Hill, a spokesperson for Kent County Council, said: "This news means that the new facilities will be more integrated with the museum and art gallery, making the Beaney and ideal community building."

The Beany is currently closed from the public to allow construction work to take place and is expected to reopen in summer 2011.

Many of the museum's exhibits will move to the Museum of Canterbury in Stour Street and a temporary library will be set up at the Ede's Garage site in Canterbury.