A £40,000 grant has been awarded to transform Hexham Old Gaol.

Museums Northumberland, the county's museum service, has been awarded the money from Art Fund's Reimagine grants programme to transform the internal exhibition spaces at Hexham Old Gaol - England's first purpose-built prison.

The two-year project will see illustrator and printmaker Jonny Hannah work with local communities and partners in Hexham and the wider area to create new displays that present the stories of Hexham Old Gaol in a new way.

The project will also expand Museums Northumberland's existing partnership with HMP Northumberland to see how the collections and themes of England's oldest prison connect with modern-day HMP Northumberland.

Rowan Brown, chief executive of Museums Northumberland, said: "Anyone that visited Hexham Old Gaol during Jonny Hannah's fantastic countywide exhibition Northumberland Folk will know how his work transforms spaces - using local stories shared by the community to bring museum and heritage collections to life.

"We want to use Jonny's unique approach to developing art with local people to transform Hexham Old Gaol into an engaging 'story box' where people of all ages and abilities can learn about the history of the building, its impact on the local area, and how it still plays a part in the story of Northumberland today."

The project will see Mr Hannah work with HMP Northumberland, access and inclusion specialists, and communities across Hexham to explore and share historical facts and tales, as well as contemporary issues and stories.

Using the museum's collections, and both historic and modern-day stories and people, the project will delve deeper into topics and themes of imprisonment, criminal justice, and human rights.

Illustrator Jonny Hannah said: "Every community, place, town or region has stories to tell.

"I find this fascinating.

"And some people may think their stories aren't important enough, but I've found that's not the case.

"Urban folklore as I call it, is a vast pool of inspiration for me, with small nuggets waiting to be uncovered and brought to life by me as a visual statement."

For more information about Museums Northumberland, visit their website.