A new £3m 'live science' Discovery Centre has been officially opened by the University of Manchester (UM) at Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire.

The development has included a new entrance building - the Planet Pavilion - and the Space Pavilion, which will be used for exhibitions and events. A new glass-walled café with views of the site's iconic Lovell telescope; an education space; and landscaped gardens have also formed part of the scheme.

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios were behind the design of the new facilities, which were built by John Turner and Sons. Capita Symonds acted as project manager. Other firms involved with the project include RPS Group, exhibition specialists TMP, Baker Media, Thomas Matthews and Horseshoe Shape.

Jodrell Bank astronomers and engineers helped guide the content and creation of exhibition space as part of the new live science visitor attraction. UM contributed £600,000 towards the work, alongside £1.9m from the Northwest Regional Development Agency and £1m from the European Regional Development Fund.

Dr Tim O'Brien, reader in astrophysics at UM, said: "The new centre showcases the live science that happens here with new exhibitions focused on some of the big questions we're trying to answer about the universe."