WORCESTER residents can look forward to a free treat in 2007 after the city council announced it would let them into the revamped Commandery for nothing.

Anyone who can provide proof they live in the Faithful City can take a tour of the attraction for free when it reopens in March following a £1m upgrade.

Meanwhile a new raft of charges has been published for anyone visiting the centre from outside Worcester. Entry will be £5.25, students will pay £3.50, children up to 16 will have to pay £2.25 and under-fives will be allowed in for free.

Worcester residents wanting to take a tour will have to register and provide proof of identity which will be used to build up a database of visitors. The council has also announced it will provide a range of demonstrations, workshops, catering offers and guided tours for large groups, which will cost up to £10.

The Commandery, in Sidbury, is being redeveloped into a major interactive tour facility after the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the council £985,000 to improve it.

Visitors to the building will see history told through six layers, starting in the 15th century and ending in present day. It will re-open next Easter after the cabinet agreed the final piece of the jigsaw - a tender for interactive display boxes.

Cabinet member for urban renaissance Coun Martin Clarke said: "The subtlety of this is that Worcester citizens will get in for free, and visitors will pay.

"We want residents to be proud of the Commandery and are looking forward to it re-opening. I'm tremendously proud of what has been achieved."

The council decided to draw up the charges after a survey found only five per cent of the 20,000 people who visit the Commandery each year are Worcester residents.

It will also offer year long season tickets for an extra £5 after the survey found only three per cent of visitors to the Commandery return four or more times.

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