People are being invited to have their say on £2.8m plans to make Wymondham Abbey more community-orientated and appealing to visitors.

The church welcomes more than 20,000 people through its doors each year and now it is planning the Abbey Experience, a new development which will open next summer.

This follows an award from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £1.75 million along with over £1 million from charitable trusts and the Abbey's own fundraising efforts.

Two new extensions at the east end will create space for visitors, including families and schoolchildren, to learn about the Abbey's history.

Churchwarden Richard Barton-Wood said: 'We are now putting the finishing touches to the scheme. We hope to welcome more visitors with improved facilities and displays, helping them to better appreciate what has been called 'the heritage jewel' of the town.

'We aim to provide a range of new learning opportunities for people of all ages, so we will be employing a learning and events officer to work with volunteers and develop resources.'

The Abbey also houses a unique collection of parish archives, some dating back 700 years. Selected items, such as a 1613 King James Bible, will be conserved and put on display.

The congregation had its say back in December and now local people, businesses and organisations are being invited to attend a presentation and consultation at the Abbey on Saturday, January 25 at 2pm.

Mr Barton-Wood added: 'We hope many people will come along and hear how the project will benefit local people as well as boost tourism in the town.

'Invitations are being sent out to organisations, but this is an open event for all who are interested. It is a chance to find out more about where we're at with the plans and have your say.'