A WINCHESTER military museum has re-opened after being closed to the public for more than a year.

Hampshire County Council won a hard-fought battle to buy Serle's House, the former headquarters of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, in 2000. Following a major campaign, backed by the Daily Echo, the Ministry of Defence changed its mind about selling the majestic property in Southgate Street on the open market.

The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum is based on the ground floor of the 18th-century mansion, which also features a memorial garden where ashes of solders killed in action were scattered.

The county council has now completed a phased programme of works to restore Serle's House to its former glory.

Curator Michael Webster said: "There are a number of new cases and it's a definite improvement on the presentation of all the lovely things we have got."