WORK at the revamped Commandery civil war centre is nearing completion since the £1m project was given the go-ahead two years ago.

Council bosses have hailed the museum as a "hugely important" draw in boosting tourist numbers in the Faithful City.

Ever since a £985,000 grant was awarded from the Heritage Lottery Fund, plans have been drawn up to provide a room-by-room interactive tour of the site when it reopens next year.

Visitors to the building will see its story told through six layers of history - starting in the 15th Century through to the 20th Century.

There will be an audio tour through the building, along with interactive displays. The building will have a revamped shop and entrance, an education centre for group visits and new toilets.

The centre, used by King Charles II during the 1651 Battle of Worcester, is seen as a jewel in the crown for city tourism. During the tour, visitors will be able to smell and see the kind of foods available during its heyday, as well as gain an insight into how illnesses were diagnosed and the types of ailments around.

Around 20,000 people a year used to visit the Commandery before it was closed for the lavish upgrade - and hopes are high that the figure will increase considerably when it reopens.

Cabinet member for urban renaissance Coun Martin Clarke said: "The project is remarkably exciting.

"The work is about to proceed to the final stage. I have been down there with my hard hat and had at look at the work, and it is most impressive.

"It will be an interactive centre that brings history to life for people's recollections.

"It is going to be a real draw for tourism in Worcester, it's hugely important."

Work at the building started in April and is expected to be finished in October, with the centre scheduled to officially open in Easter 2007.