The Heritage Lottery Fund has today handed out its biggest ever grant for Yorkshire, giving £19m to the city of Leeds for a new museum.

Around one million historic items were left without a permanent home following a 1942 air raid which destroyed the original city museum.

Stored in warehouses around the city, the artefacts – including bones of prehistoric animals – will now be put on show at the new facility.

The museum will be housed in the Grade 2-listed Leeds Institute, which will be fully refurbished.

Work on the site will begin later this year and is expected to reach completion in 2007.

Judith Blake, from Leeds City Council, said: “This museum will be the only institution in the city where you can get a real feel for how the city has been transformed over the years.

“It will play a vital part in boosting Leeds’ tourism and contributing to the whole regeneration of South Leeds,” she said.

The total cost of the museum is estimated at £27m, with Leeds City Council providing £6.7m. The rest of the funding will be gathered from sponsorship and additional grants. Details: www.leeds.gov.uk