The £2.2m Wat Tyler Centre in Pitsea, Essex, will open to the public by September 2009.

The heritage centre, which is expected to attract around 300,000 visitors a year, is being built at a former munitions factory within the grounds of the 125-acre Wat Tyler country park.

Facilities at the attraction will include three dedicated classrooms, an interactive exhibition area and a multi-purpose area for conferencing, sports use and performing arts, as well as café/restaurant.

The centre is part of a larger £5m regeneration project of the park, which will see a set of new raised walkways and new trails being created around the park, improving access for visitors.

Construction of the centre is being carried out by Forest Gate.

The project is being funded by the East of England Development Agency (£2.98m), the Heritage Lottery Fund (£998,000) and Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust (£1m).