ACCESSIBILITY to unlock the history of prized possessions belonging to residents' ancestors will be improved if the Heritage Hub is opened in 2019.

Detailed plans for the £5 million site, which will be based at the existing Warrington Library in the town centre, are currently being considered by Culture Warrington and LiveWire chiefs ahead of a funding bid.

If constructed, the digital-friendly location will provide residents with more opportunities to explore their heritage roots.

Culture Warrington and LiveWire managing director Jan Souness believes the construction of the hub will no doubt assist the people of the town in bringing 'history to life'.

"I think what has been quite unique about Warrington is how proud the people are of the town," she said.

"We celebrate the modern events as well as things in the past and bring them together quite well – we have a real pride in history and celebrate it well.

"A lot of our people have gone out the town and a lot have come into Warrington.

"If people want to know about their heritage there is usually a fascinating story to it that they perhaps did not know before, which can be inspiring.

"This will help people, who will be bringing things in, get told where they have come from and who in their family owned items.

"People can be told about the deep history of their family and I think that helps leave an amazing legacy."

Cllr Kate Hannon, executive member for leisure, community and culture, is confident the Heritage Hub will be popular among residents 'now and for generations to come'.

She praised the joint work of the council an organisations in continuing to promote the impressive features of the town, past and present.

"There are lots of history groups in the town and the hub will give them somewhere to go – it will be a centre-point for them," she added.

"We have envisioned doing this for a number of years now.

"I think this will be nice for youngsters in this day and age in particular to know about their history.

"We have so much heritage here – I have never heard of partners coming together like they do here."