AN ARTIST'S impression of a revamped Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum has been unveiled - and East Lothian Council is being encouraged to back the plans.

The Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust is campaigning for the creation of a Battle Centre - packed with information about the 1745 conflict - at the original miners' bath house at the museum site.

In a two-pronged strategy, the trust also wants the site to host a circular Tapestry Pavilion, which would house the 104-metre Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry, created in 2010 by hundreds of volunteer stitchers and which tells the story of the battle.

But as part of the new additions, the trust is also keen to see a major investment in the rest of the museum made by the council. The two parties have been in discussions for the past two years.

In the wake of the new impression (see right) - created by county artist Andrew Hillhouse, who has previously painted several depictions of key moments in the battle - members of the trust have called on the local authority to set aside funds for the project.

Gareth Jones, trust chairman, said: "In our discussions the council has been extremely enthusiastic about our vision for the whole Prestongrange site. We are quite prepared to raise the �2 million needed for the Battle Centre and Tapestry Pavilion but there is no point in such an investment if the rest of the museum is not improved.

"We asked Andrew Hillhouse to create this impression of the site as it might be, with the right commitment. Our research indicates that at least 100,000 visitors would come to such a heritage park, and that would be good for the local economy.

"Unfortunately, we can't move forward with our plans until we have a formal commitment by East Lothian Council. Hopefully that will be forthcoming this month as part of their future capital programme.

"This is a great opportunity for the council to create a fantastic facility at Prestongrange, for locals and visitors - at a site that desperately needs investment, before it becomes beyond repair." A council spokeswoman said: "The council is well aware of the plans outlined by the Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust. This project has been considered as part of the council's capital investment plan but a formal decision won't be known until the approval of the proposed council budget plans on February 14." The Battle of Prestonpans took place in 1745 and saw Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobites defeat a Government force led by Sir John Cope.