Hadrian's Wall £11.2m visitor centre final design unveiled

The designs have been created to be sympathetic to the landscape

The final design for an £11.2m centre and youth hostel on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland has been unveiled.

The Sill project will provide a cafe and education, art and office space to replace facilities dating back to the 1960s at Once Brewed, near Hexham.

The scheme, which is backed by the Northumberland National Park Authority and Youth Hostel Association, is expected to create 60 full-time jobs.

A spokesman for the authority said it would "boost tourism" in the area.

The designs have been created to be sympathetic to the surrounding landscape and the building will use sustainable energy such as solar thermal water heating and woodchip heating.

John Riddle, chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: "The Sill is an ambitious project which will open up the Northumbrian landscape, a hidden gem, to new audiences on a national and international level.

"Our aim is to create a building and educational outreach programme which will transform how people experience, enjoy, understand and care for the landscape of the future."

The designs will now enter the planning stages of the development, with a decision expected in the summer.