English Heritage facilities at Northumberland's historic Housesteads Roman Fort, including the museum and visitor centre, have now shut ahead of a major renovation project.

Expected to take six months to complete, the scheme is being led by the historic environment agency in partnership with the National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority.

The first phase of the project will cost more than £1m and will include a refurbishment of the museum in order to improve the interpretation and visitor facilities.

English Heritage and the National Trust have both contributed £500,000 towards stage one of the scheme, while £40,000 has come from the national park authority.

The new museum will incorporate an interactive and audio-visual exhibition examining life at Vercovicium, a hilltop fortress and civilian settlement to the north of the Roman empire.

English Heritage head of visitor operations for Hadrian's Wall Richard Polley said: "These are exciting and carefully considered plans that will preserve and enhance an important part of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site."

The first phase is expected to be unveiled in spring 2012, with the National Trust facilities and the fort itself to remain open for the duration of the work.

A second phase of work to improve the National Trust visitor centre, shop and café is due to take place in late 2012.

Image: English Heritage