AREAS of a popular museum and park are to reopen next month after refurbishment.

Preston Hall Museum and Park, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, is undergoing a £7m regeneration thanks to Stockton Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Victorian Street and the museum’s historic ballroom will reopen to the public on Tuesday, February 1.

The ballroom will house a free exhibition called Behind the Scenes at the Museum, giving an insight into some of the work which goes on away from the public eye.

It will be fitted with shelves to mimic a museum store room, and artefacts, many of which have not been seen by the public for many years.

Items will relate to social history, industry, ceremonial weaponry, archive documents and art collections.

These will be exhibited alongside some of the larger items from the collection, including a Victorian invalid carriage and a large industrial fire extinguisher.

Councillor Mary Womphrey, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: “This really is a jewel in the borough’s crown and this programme of renovation is making it even more appealing.”

Refurbishment works are expected to be completed by spring next year.