Image: St Fagans is to undergo a major facelift

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced its largest ever funding award in Wales - an £11.5m grant towards the redevelopment of St Fagans: National History Museum.

Creu Hanes-Making History aims to build on the popularity of the open-air museum near Cardiff, which first opened in 1948 and explores human life over more than 200,000 years.

Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales is planning a £25m overhaul of the museum, which will be delivered over five years and has received £6m from the Welsh Government.

Visitors will be given the opportunity to explore Wales' history through new exhibitions, a series of archaeological reconstructions and authentic historical buildings.

The first phase of the project includes a new multi-purpose building featuring a gallery and an activity space, as well as a window to the open-air archaeology activities.

Exhibitions will follow three themes - Making Wales, Ways of Life and Making History by Hand. The Celtic Village will be replaced with an Anglesey settlement from the Iron Age.

Volunteering will also be placed at the heart of Creu Hanes-Making History, with the plans including 600 in-depth placements and opportunities for 400 casual volunteers.

Dr Manon Williams, chair of the HLF Committee for Wales, said: "This transformational project will ensure the people of Wales and visitors to Wales have a truly inspirational and memorable encounter with the story of what made our country what it is today.

"Creu Hanes-Making History will become an exemplar project for us, demonstrating how lottery money can have a positive impact on heritage, economic development, tourism, regeneration and skills."

Click here for more details about the HLF's largest ever Welsh funding award and the plans for St Fagans: National History Museum near Cardiff.