A proposed Maritime Museum and Archive Centre for Erbrington in Derry-Londonderry has been awarded a development grant of £278,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The grant will be used to create more detailed plans to secure a further £3m for the proposed visitor attraction, which would see two listed buildings within a former military site converted into a museum and archive.

The Heritage and Museum Service's archive of some 30,000 items would be opened to the general public in exhibitions tracing the history of the River Foyle, the development of the port and its impact on human and social history.

One of the most significant items in the collection is the collection of 18th and 19th century records related to emigration.

New education facilities will include a lecture theatre, meeting spaces and training rooms, and local volunteers will be recruited and trained to index collections and carry out genealogical research.

Mayor Kevin Campbell said: "The development of the Maritime Museum and Archive Centre at Ebrington will highlight the importance of our city's maritime heritage and illustrate the international significance of these collections and stories."