Milton Keynes could soon house an expanded £7.5m museum exploring the region’s history, after the project was given the go-ahead by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The attraction would be created at the Milton Keynes Museum, with the existing site transformed to accommodate major new galleries used to trace the area's history.

Outline proposals have been back by the HLF, which has provided funding for plans to be developed further.

The project also has financial backing from Milton Keynes Council, along with a project partner and Arts Council England, to help push proposals for the museum forward.

The museum and MK Council now have 12 months to fully engage with the local community about the project, while also needing to decide on designers and architects for the development.

This will then enable them to put together detailed plans, which are required to gain the next stage of the funding process.

"This is an incredible opportunity and what has been missing from the city - a museum that tells the whole story of the area," said current museum director Bill Griffiths.

“The people of Milton Keynes have given the current museum fantastic support all the way through and what we aim to create is a museum that they feel belongs to them, is somewhere they are proud of and will want to bring friends and visitors to, to show off their heritage."

The new galleries will tell the story of the area from pre-history through to the 1800s, as well as the story of the city's creation and development, with exhibition areas also dedicated to some of MK's most successful businesses and enterprises.

If plans are approved following the next stage of funding, the new museum could open in 2018.