TALES of treachery and tragedy from Worcester's Civil War story will be brought to life through a new interactive display at a city museum.

The Commandery's new interactive experience will launch at the museum in Sidbury, Worcester, on Saturday, July 29.

The museum itself will be repaired and upgraded so people can better enjoy the experience which aims to transport visitors back over 350 years, plunging them into a murky, conflicted Worcester where fiery debates raged and the smell of gunpowder hung in the air around the dank city streets.

There will be opportunities to master tactical techniques with the battlefield strategy interactive, try on a soldier's uniform, uncover the stories of families torn apart by war and come face-to-face with Oliver Cromwell.

Worcester City Council has underpinned its significant Civil War history by investing £380,000 into the project, in addition to £96,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and further funding from Worcestershire County Council, Arts Council England, the Friends of Worcester Museums and Art Gallery and Worcestershire Ambassadors.

Chairman of the Battle of Worcester Partnership, Grant Simmonds said: "This exciting project will ensure that the people of Worcestershire as well as those visiting from outside the county are aware of the significance of the Battle of Worcester."

The city witnessed the opening and closing battles, from the initial skirmish at Powick in 1642 to the final clash between Royalists and Parliamentarians in the Battle of Worcester in 1651, during which the Commandery became the Royalist battle headquarters.

The Presidents' Rooms will celebrate the visit of future US Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to Worcester in 1786.

Such is Worcester's importance in the story of democracy that Adams stood on Fort Royal Hill and exclaimed that "this is holy ground, much holier than that on which your churches stand. All England should come in Pilgrimage to this Hill, once a Year."

Civil War City trails will encourage visitors to Worcester to explore further afield and bring together fascinating Civil War stories that have left their marks across the city.

The UK's oldest re-enactment society the Sealed Knot will be supporting the opening weekend at the Commandery with a living history camp that provides a glimpse into life in the midst of the Civil War, and the August bank holiday weekend will present The Storming of Fort Royal, supported by Worcester Re-enactors.

Repairs, refurbishment and redecoration to the building itself are underway, including repairs to the roof, pest treatment, damp prevention, upgrades to the building's heating, electrical and fire protection systems and redecoration in a wide range of rooms.

The Commandery is open from February-December, Tuesday-Saturday (10am-5pm); Sunday (1.30pm-5pm)

If you pay your Council Tax to Worcester City Council you can sign up for a special Worcester residents' year-long ticket for £5. (Please bring your Council Tax bill as proof of residency).