A building, which is "no longer fit for purpose", is to be sold off and the money reinvested in a new museum and gallery in St Albans, if plans are agreed next week.

The sale of The Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road is expected to fund the remaining £2.25m needed to transform the Grade II listed Town Hall into a new museum and gallery.

St Albans District Council, St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust and the University of Hertfordshire are working to raise funds for the new project.

The council has already submitted a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who have pledged £2.8m towards the total project cost of £6.75m, including an initial award for first phase development funding of £282,000.

St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust is leading fundraising for £1.7m, supported by the council’s museums service and the University of Hertfordshire. It will be launching its fundraising campaign, "renaissance: St Albans", on Sunday, June 22 at the Alban Street Festival.

On Tuesday, June 24, St Albans cabinet will be asked to agree to a sale of the building at a public meeting at the council’s offices, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street.