Two Northumberland attractions run by the Vindolanda Trust - Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum - have been unveiled following a multi-million pound upgrade.

Due to be officially opened by Her Grace, the Duchess of Northumberland on 19 April, both sites reopened to the public on 12 March. The £6.3m redevelopment schemes were part funded with the help of a £4m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant and aim to attract an additional 20,000 visitors.

A new 3D film called The Eagle's Eye - Edge of Empire has been produced by local film company Dene Films for the Roman Army Museum at Greenhead. The film is housed in a purpose-built cinema room at the attraction, while Roman Vindolanda has benefited from a revamped museum to incorporate displays of 'living archaeology'.

Patricia Birley, director at the Vindolanda Trust, said: "We are confident that [the developments] will have a significant contribution to the region's economy and both sites are going to offer world class visitor experiences." Ivor Crowther, head of the HLF in the North East, said: "Both sites provide visitors with a snapshot of the ancient world and now, the visitor experience will befit such a historically important place."

Image: The Roman Army Museum