The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded grants totalling £24m for three major heritage projects in Liverpool, Kent and Ayrshire.

The three recipients are the National Museum of Liverpool (NML), the Canterbury Beaney and the Burns Birthplace Museum in Scotland.

The NML was given a £11.4m grant, which it will use towards the construction of the Museum of Liverpool.

The funding has been earmarked for the building’s interior, including the creation of interactive exhibitions and community displays as well as a 200-seat theatre.

The £65m museum, situated on the city’s waterfront, will showcase the social history and popular culture of the city and will be one of the city’s centrepieces as Liverpool takes over the title of European Capital of Culture for 2008.

The Beaney Institute – a museum, art gallery and library named after its benefactor J.G Beaney – will use a £6.5 grant to kick-start construction work on an extension.

Monies will also be available for the creation of a anew programme of events and activities at the site, aiming to widen the appeal of the attraction.

A further £5.8m has been earmarked to create a museum and visitor attraction dedicated to Scottish poet Robert burns.

To be located in the bard’s hometown Alloway in Ayrshire, the project will rejuvenate the Burns National Heritage Park in time for the 250th anniversary of Burns’ birthday in 2009.