A £23m military museum could open at Marne Barracks, Catterick, by 2005.

The new building would be known as the National Army Museum North and would house an important collection of military vehicles and weaponry.

Six months ago, the army earmarked the former RAF Catterick as a possible venue for the development, which would create more than 100 jobs and attract tens of thousands of visitors a year. Further details emerged at a presentation to Richmondshire economic, cultural and leisure committee on Tuesday.

David Smurthwaite, assistant director of the National Army Museum, said it would include display space for tanks, trucks and other military hardware as well as a cafe, auditorium and £5m landscaping scheme.

Existing army museums around the UK, including Chelsea in London, were full and the search for a new location had become urgent.

A lottery application to fund half the cost is due to be decided in June and it is hoped that the balance will come from government grants and private sector partnerships.

The plans for the museum will go on display across Richmondshire and Hambleton soon. The first exhibition is at the Catterick Garrison Tesco store next month, and the project team is eager for comments.

"We would expect the museum to support the incomes of as many as 800 people in one way or another, said Mr Smurthwaite. "As many as 70 people would be employed full-time with another 85 seasonal posts expected to follow."