Diving museum awarded £800k lottery funding

Diving helmets from the early 19th Century are among 7,000 items at the museum

A museum that is home to the world's first diving helmet has been awarded more than £800,000 of lottery funding for repair works.

The Diving Museum in Gosport, Hampshire, is located in a Grade II listed Victorian gun battery on the seafront.

It is currently closed for refurbishment work and expected to reopen next year.

The money will go towards building repairs and allow for access and sustainability improvements, while enhancing public engagement and visitor experience, The National Lottery said.

It is among the beneficiaries of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is part of a £7.6m pot being given to rare museum collections across the UK.

The Diving Museum in Gosport is located in a Grade II listed property

Gosport is the birthplace of the global deep-sea diving industry, with the world’s first deep-sea dive undertaken by the Deane brothers in 1832.

The helmet used on that dive is just one of more than 7,000 items displayed at the museum.

Museum director Kevin Casey said: "Receiving the National Lottery Heritage Fund is amazing, it's the icing on the cake for our improvement plans.

"We are absolutely delighted - not only can we make improvements, but offer a great service to the public and offer employment, currently we volunteer.

"It's always good news when you can help the local economy and employment."

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Our investment in the cultural heritage fabric of these museums will inspire people, connect communities, and drive growth, allowing everyone to discover the amazing local heritage."