THE wraps come off blueprints for a £23m museum in the region this weekend.

As exclusively revealed in The Northern Echo last month, the Army is planning to build the northern wing of its national museum at Marne Barracks, on the edge of the A1 at Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Originally conceived as an overspill facility for the main museum at Chelsea, the project has taken on new significance, and will stand in its own right as the National Army Museum North.

The building, which will be sited in landscaped grounds, will house a number of themed areas designed to reflect the climates each exhibit was designed for. A cafe and auditorium are also included in the design.

The Army is keen to have feedback from the public and artists' impressions of the buildings and exhibition areas go on show for the first time this weekend.

Richmond MP William Hague has agreed to unveil them at the Tesco superstore, at Catterick Garrison, on Saturday morning.

The project's backers hope to tour other locations in the region during the next few months.

The National Lottery is expected to decide on its contribution towards the funding of the project in June, with the remainder of the money coming from the Government and partners in the private sector.

If all goes according to plan, the museum could be welcoming its first new visitors by 2005.