Staff at Oxford's Ashmolean Museum are celebrating after confirmation of a £15m Lottery grant for its redevelopment project.

In July last year, the Heritage Lottery Fund earmarked the cash for the £50m regeneration project, but the money was not guaranteed until yesterday.

The news means the Ashmolean, in Beaumont Street, has now raised £36m towards the cost of the project.

Spokesman Susie Gault said: "We were always upbeat and positive that we would get the funding from the Lottery -- we never felt it was in any doubt -- but everyone is delighted that it has now been confirmed."

As well as the £15m contribution from the HLF, a further £21m has been raised from trusts, foundations and individuals, leaving £14m still to raise.

Ms Gault added: "We have already closed some galleries at the back of the museum to decant objects before building work begins at the start of next year."

The museum's director, Dr Christopher Brown, said: "The museum is extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund. This award is a splendid launching pad for our on-going fundraising campaign."

The development will double the museum's display space, and provide a dedicated education centre and conservation studios.

The Greek and Roman collections, now split between two sites, will be integrated, and a series of new teaching rooms and study centres will be provided.

Heritage Lottery Fund director Carol Souter said: "The Ashmolean's plans are extremely imaginative.

"We're delighted to be able to help the museum in its vision to open up the collections to a much wider audience."