KIDDERMINSTER Town Council has received a £49,700 grant to work with leading heritage specialists to explore the hidden history of the town hall.

The money was awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will be used to investigate the current condition of the Grade 2 listed landmark and explore potential development options to make the hall more sustainable.

Former Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Martin Stooke, said: "The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards our town hall is fantastic and will really help to safeguard the building for future generations.”

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Part of the grant will also fund a research project into the building's history, much of which is currently unclear after historic documents relating to the town hall were lost over time due to the effects of flooding and reorganisation.

The project will piece together the development of the town hall, which has attracted many famous faces over the years, including Winston Churchill, Queen, U2 and the Rolling Stones.

The town council will also be consulting with local groups and businesses on potential options for the future use of the building.

Councillor Fran Oborski, chair of the Town Hall Committee, said: "We are very grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for this grant which will really help the town council plan an exciting future for the building which has been a focal point of our local community for the past 160 years."