Robin Hood celebrates Nottingham Castle lottery bid success

Robin Hood has hailed the decision to award Nottingham Castle with £14m of lottery funding.

The money will go towards a £30m revamp of the castle which will showcase 1,000 years of Nottingham's history.

Tim Pollard, the city's official Robin Hood, read from a scroll delivered on horseback announcing the securing of the Heritage Lottery Fund money.

Nottingham City Council hope the project will attract 40,000 visitors in the first year.

Other figures from medieval history were at the event

In a special event at the castle, Mr Pollard, dressed as the famous outlaw, said: "A message has arrived from the Heritage Lottery Fund, my friends, I can now announce that we have been successful."

Nottingham City Council said the money will help transform the castle and make it a "source of pride" for the people of the city.

Many tourists say they are disappointed when they see the building, which was substantially demolished in the 17th Century.

An interactive Robin Hood Gallery will be created, allowing visitors to "step back in time" and enter a medieval experience

While there will be an interactive Robin Hood gallery, displays will also be themed around industry and rebellion in Nottingham.

Jonathan Platt, head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said while the castle will always be linked to Robin Hood there were many other stories linked to "political rebellion, riots and intrigue".

The Robin Hood Gallery will include interactive games, including one called The Golden Arrow

He said: "This extraordinary historic building will once more become a focal point for Nottingham."

As well as new galleries, works include restoration to the gatehouse and galleries, a remodelling of the grounds, a new visitor centre and better access to the caves.

A new visitor centre will welcome people to the grounds and will include a cafe

About £5.5m of the total cost of the revamp will come from council taxpayers, the authority has confirmed.

The council expects to attract 40,000 visitors in the first year and claims the scheme would boost the local economy by more than £90m over 10 years.

Galleries will explore the history of Nottingham's art and industries, including lacemaking