BRIDPORT Museum has reopened its doors to the public after a £1.3m transformation.

The South Street museum closed earlier this year for the redevelopment to take place and the new-look facility reopened on Saturday following a celebration on Friday night at the town hall.

The museum now boasts interactive exhibits, including an Ackerman netting loom, which has been restored to full working glory and a working rope walk.

The building has a new lift, gift shop and more items for visitors to enjoy. The museum shows off the town's history and heritage including the Jurassic Coast to its Saxon roots as a market town and its rope and net heritage which still exits today.

Museum curator Emily Hicks said: "I'm really amazed by it all.

"We have done vital conservation work to the building and the inside looks completely unrecognisable.

"Before this, the museum was letting the town down in terms of the displays and building, Hopefully now it's a fantastic asset for the town and something everyone can be proud of."

Funding for the five-year project was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as grants from other bodies including Bridport Town Council and West Dorset District Council. Money for the project was also raised through a successful crowdfunding appeal.

George Streatfeild, chairman of the Bridport Museum Trust, paid tribute to the 300-plus people who have been involved in the project including the museum's dedicated band of volunteers.

He said: "It really has been an amazing team effort. We have fantastic volunteers who have given so much of their time.

"The thing that people will find is the more you look deeper into the exhibits, the more you will see.We have taken a caterpillar and turned it into a butterfly."

Last month, the museum organised a range of 'season of heritage' events to gear up for the reopening.

The new-look museum will remain open all year round and will continue to offer free entry for residents and visitors.

Town surveyor Daryl Chambers, who has been involved in the project, labelled it as a "typical Bridport" achievement.

He added: "It is another project delivered in Bridport by Bridport people and it just shows you what can be delivered when people work together.

"It's a fabulous achievement and I have loved every second of it."

For more information, visit bridportmuseum.co.uk