WORCESTER'S historic Commandery and Fort Royal Park could be in line for a £1m revamp, after the city council agreed to table a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Exciting new exhibitions featuring mediaeval Worcester, the Civil War and a centre dedicated to the city's gloving heritage could all be a focus of a successful application.

An education wing, new caf, better play facilities and money for key conservation work on the historic buildings are other possibilities.

Members of the city's Cabinet are optimistic that months of detailed planning, outlining the two sites' important historical features, and visionary plans, will win over Lottery officials when they consider proposals in the next few weeks.

"All the interpretations outlined are applaudable and supportable," said Councillor Derek Prodger, portfolio holder for community services.

"I think it will get full support. It's a major development and it would put the site on the map in some significant way."

The first stage of the outline bid is to draw an indication from the Heritage Lottery Fund that the project is of interest to them.

If the nod is given, the council will begin a detailed study to be presented to Lottery officials as a full bid at a future date.

The two-stage process will take around six months from submission before the city council finds out if the bid has succeeded.

The Commandery, which houses the city's Civil War museum, was used as the Royalist headquarters in the 1651 Battle of Worcester.

Nearby Fort Royal Park, used as a public space since at least the 18th Century, houses the remains of a Cromwellian siege works, which have been used as a landscape feature.

The full bid will take up to 12 months to construct and then a further six months for the Heritage Fund to give the final go-ahead.