Dudley Council tourism bosses are hoping that visitor numbers to the historic Seven Sisters mines will double after a £1.1m scheme to upgrade the attraction is completed.

Work is due to start at Wrens Nest Nature Reserve in June, which will include improvements to entrances, fencing, paths and steps, as well as the development of a accessible route around the site. Upgraded viewing access to the Seven Sisters mine entrance is also earmarked as part of the scheme, while information panels are also set to be installed to enhance visitor interpretation.

The council hopes that visitor numbers will increase from 12,000 to around 23,000 a year following improvements to the mine site, which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Dudley Council has received £800,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve scheme, as part of the Ripples Through Time project.

John Millar, the council's director of urban environment, said: "While we are all excited by the upcoming works we need to be sure that people realise that we won't be opening up the caverns, but will be providing better access to the viewing areas of the Seven Sisters Mines, as they are today."