AMESBURY History Centre says it is “excited” for the future as work is to soon begin to create its new home.

The Amesbury History Centre closed its doors to the public on Tuesday as it is due to be rebuilt into a modern, purpose-built building.

Work is expected to start next month.

A spokesperson for the Amesbury History Centre Trust, which runs the centre, said: “Since Amesbury Town Council acquired the Melor Hall in 2011 the goal was to have a museum that would showcase the importance of Amesbury, which has since been discovered to be the oldest continuous settlement in the United Kingdom.

“The Melor Hall has served as a great home for the centre, but now the time has come to expand and showcase all the new discoveries to a wider audience, and hopefully start to attract tourist from Stonehenge into Amesbury town centre.

“The new building will have facilities that will enable us to be self sustainable and to be used as an educational facility for local schools, a young Archaeology club and a hub for future archaeology in the area, including Blick Mead as well as preserving and exhibiting some of the priceless items that have been discovered in the local area.”

Some of the exhibits and historic items from the town will be available to view at the Amesbury Community Shop and Amesbury library.

“We are excited for what the future will bring and look forward to welcoming everyone to the new Amesbury History Centre as soon as possible,” added the spokesperson for the trust, who run the centre.

A spokesperson for Amesbury Town Council said: “Amesbury Town Council has been working for several years on the project to provide a modern facility to be used as a history and education centre that will serve local residents and also attract visitors to the town. We are really pleased to be at the point where a builder can be employed.

“Thanks must go to Wiltshire Council for its recent support as part of its recovery programme and we look forward to working closely with the trust in the future.”