£20m plan to expand Black Country Living Museum

Bosses said 60 jobs would be created directly as a result of the expansion

A £20m plan to expand a major West Midlands tourist attraction has been revealed.

Bosses at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley want to increase its size by a third.

Proposals include creating a new 1940s'-style town complete with a pub and library.

They also include moving the Tipton Road entrance to Castle Hill and linking the site with attractions such as Dudley Zoological Gardens.

Museum chief executive Andrew Lovett said: "There's great opportunity to fulfil potential here.

"There's great opportunity to increase attendance and tell the story... the Black Country had a global impact, so why shouldn't the museum have a global impact?"

Bosses said 60 jobs would be created as a result of the expansion, while hundreds more short-term jobs would be created during construction.

Proposals include creating a new 1940s'-style town complete with a pub and library

Mr Lovett said the project would allow the museum to contribute an extra £3m to the local economy - taking the total up to £7m.

"There is no doubt we can help change perceptions of the town and the region and I think it needs that," he said.

"By creating a bigger and better museum there's a great opportunity."

The plans are subject to raising £18.9m required to do the work.

Investment is being sought from the West Midlands Combined Authority. The remainder will be achieved through fundraising activities.