GRAND plans to turn Worcester Commandery into a site of "national importance" can today be revealed - rivalling Newark as a British centre of excellence for the civil war.

Worcester City Council has agreed to proceed on two phases of work to redevelop the tourist attraction in a £400,000 overhaul.

The revamp, which was endorsed by the Labour cabinet last night, includes:

- A series of linked displays telling the story of Worcester's part in the English civil wars and how it shaped world democracy

- A big lit projection display in the Great Hall introducing the significance of The Commandery plus the story of the visit of US Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in rooms overlooking Fort Royal Park

- A Commandery 'civil war study centre' featuring a library, research and volunteer facilities

- A special facade so pikes appear above the gates to create a new courtyard entrance

- More merchandise in the shop and a bigger reception area

The Labour cabinet agreed to vote it through, with the hope that £96,000 of the funding will be forthcoming from a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

There is no official announcement on it yet, but the cabinet has agreed to underwrite the £96,000 in the hope of a successful response.

During the meeting politicians said they regretted the fact Newark, which hosts the National Civil War Centre, had been allowed to "steal a march" on Worcester despite boasting a far less significant role in English civil war.

They insisted The Commandery's revamp was aimed at making it just as important, as a national tourist attraction.

Cllr Roger Berry, cabinet member for history and heritage, said: "I do believe we'll have a facility which will be of national importance.

"I hope this'll help The Commandery reach its place as one of the city's prime facilities, we're going to have a civil war centre to match what exists at Newark and heritage trails throughout the city to reflect Worcester's role in democracy."

Cllr Marc Bayliss, Conservative group leader, said: "We have an embarrassment of riches in Worcester - there's many cities and towns our size which would give their high teeth for just one of our stories.

"Newark stole a march on us, it has become the national civil war centre with far less of a role in it than us, historians tell me."

He urged Labour to see Newark as a compliment to Worcester, rather than outright competition.

Cllr Berry said: "I agree, in Newark it was a mere skirmish which here it was a real battle.

"But I don't see it as competition."

Work on phases one and two will start over the winter and be finished in April or May next year, before it goes 'live' for the public.

Proposals for a third and four phase also exist, with council chiefs intent on making that a reality after securing commercial backing.

That would include a new cafe, turning it into a venue for weddings and corporate hire with an independent entrance, exhibition space and an interpretation plan focusing on Medieval and Tudor Worcester.