A Tudor building is one step closer to a £1m makeover.

Cheam’s 16th century Whitehall Museum has been given the green light for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve its historic features.

Development funding of £110,600 has also been awarded to help the borough’s library service move forward plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.

The money will help conserve the building’s historic features, fund new exhibitions and more work with schools and community groups.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, chairperson of the environment and neighbourhood committee said: “Whitehall is one of the borough’s oldest and most loved sites so I’m delighted that we have made this hugely positive step forward towards securing Heritage Lottery funding.

“This 500-year-old building is steeped in history and we have a duty to preserve it for future generations.

"One million pounds is a substantial investment in our borough’s heritage and shows just how highly thought of Whitehall is.”

Whitehall was built around 1520 during the reign of Henry VIII and it is thought that it was used as a council house or a meeting house.

For most of its history Whitehall was home to the Killick family who lived there from 1742 until their descendants sold the building to Sutton and Cheam Borough Council in 1963.

Following a campaign in 1974 a campaign the building was opened to the public as a museum. The Friends of Whitehall were formed who continue to help the council manage the building.