HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds are being invested to create a new visitor information centre for the fledgling New Forest National Park.

The new centre will provide displays and information about England's newest national park.

The current home of the New Forest Museum and Visitor Centre, in central Lyndhurst, will be transformed into The New Forest Centre.

New Forest National Park Authority has announced it is pumping £200,000 into the project over the next three years.

It is hoped the centre will become the first port of call for the millions of visitors which the forest attracts every year.

Information on history, culture and landscape of the national park, along with details of local attractions and what to do, will all be housed inside.

The park authority is working in partnership with the New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust to create the centre.

Jeff Haynes, director of understanding and enjoyment at the park authority, said: "This is an exciting step for the national park. The Lyndhurst site already provides an excellent insight into the New Forest, in an ideal location.

"We are looking forward to working with the trustees to create an improved centre where visitors and residents can learn even more about the national park."

The first major step of the new partnership is to appoint a centre manager.

Ednyfed Hudson Davies, chairman of the board of trustees, said: "This association will greatly strengthen our work and bring in many more people, visitors and locals alike.

"The appointment of a new centre manager will provide impetus and guidance during what will undoubtedly be a period of great expansion."