Dorset County Museum has appointed Carmody Groarke as architect for its £6m plans to create a new exhibition space and galleries at the attraction in Dorchester.

The Grade-II listed museum is looking to create new galleries to exhibit art, natural history, costumes and textiles items.

As part of the Collections Discovery Centre project, the museum is also seeking to create an archive facility, while developing a series of new buildings and spaces to provide more public access to the attraction’s collection.

Dorset County Museum holds collections made up of around 3.5 million objects, including one of the most important fossil collections in the UK and the Thomas Hardy Archive.

“We see Carmody Groarke as a critical member of the team who will help turn our vision into reality,” said Jon Murden, director of Dorset County Museum

“They have a track record of inspirational museum and heritage projects and helping smaller charitable organisations secure significant levels of funding to achieve their objectives.”

The museum is currently fundraising to support the project, with money being received from private donors, individuals and charitable trusts.