THE government has stepped in to help secure the future of of one of the country's top scientific research attractions.

Fiona Bruce MP has welcomed news that £125,600 of the government’s Culture Recovery Fund has been awarded to Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage site.

The funds, which form part of the wider £1.57 billion scheme, will be used to develop the centre's online offering to engage visitors unable to visit the site, as part of the second tranche of this funding.

The Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, which opened in 2011 at the site of the famous Lovell Telescope is now operated as part of the University of Manchester and sees 150,000 visitors each year including many school pupils learning about the crucial scientific research and development work that is carried out on site.

Fiona Bruce said: "In these challenging times it is wonderful news that Jodrell Bank, and the amazing work done there, is being supported in this way by funding from central Government.

"Having taken my two sons to Jodrell Bank many times over the years, and knowing how much they have enjoyed it, and learnt from it, I am delighted to see this additional investment into the Discovery Centre.

"This will not only augment the visitor experience, but help further enhance the work of world class space and scientific research being carried out right on our doorstep at Jodrell Bank, of which we can all locally be very proud."