Plans for the £165m refurbishment of Manchester's town hall complex has been given the green light by the city council.

The project, which is expected to get underway later this year, has been designed to preserve the area's historic buildings for future generations, as well as improving services for the local community. A new 'Mediatheque' facility will be created as part of the scheme, a series of spaces including cinema and IT suite allowing residents to browse and view Manchester-related films and television programmes from the British Film Institute and North West Film Archive.

Library Walk will be transformed into a new, semi-enclosed galleria with glass roof, while St Peter's Square is to be redesigned as part of the council's proposals. The Library Theatre will also be relocated to increase audience capacity, and the Central Library will be restored. MCC's executive member for finance and human resources, Bernard Priest, said: "This refurbishment will enable use to enhance the public spaces in which these internationally significant buildings are set."