Northampton Borough Council (NBC) has submitted a bid for funding support towards the transformation of Delapre Abbey into a major new heritage attraction for the town.

The council is seeking to restore the Grade II*-listed building and estimates that it is to cost £15m to revamp, with a £3.5m grant being sought from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

NBC has confirmed that it has entered into the first round of bidding to receive HLF support worth £284,000, which will be used to carry out more detailed planning work towards the full grant.

A decision is expected in September.