Vivacity, the charitable trust which operates a range of leisure services across Peterborough, has reopened the city's museum following the completion of a £3.2m redevelopment.

Peterborough Museum closed its doors on 24 December 2010 in order to undergo a major facelift with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Peterborough City Council.

Work included a restoration of the building's period features; and the first stage restoration of an historic operating theatre that is now open to the public for the first time.

The geology, wildlife, changing lives and Norman Cross galleries have all received a makeover, while a new gallery has been created to tell the story of the museum building.

There are also plans for a further stage of redevelopment at a later date, with the archaeology gallery and the historic cellars located underneath the property earmarked for improvements.

A Vivacity spokesperson said: "It is one of the city's most historic buildings, dating back to Georgian times. In order to improve our service, and provide visitors with an even better experience, we have carried out some essential restoration work."

Details: www.vivacity-peterborough.com

Image: Julian Dowse