Foundations for the large new hangar to be built at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum in London Colney have just been completed.

Groundworks are expected to be completely finished by the middle of May.

Museum marketing director Mike Nevin has assured the public that during the construction of the steel-framed hangar the museum continues to be open to the public five days a week including weekends, plus bank holidays, with a new enlarged car park provided.

Mr Nevin said: “The museum is proving a more popular place to visit every year.

“There is a lot to interest both parents and children and as it is a working museum they can get up close to some of the aircraft, sit in the cockpits and passenger cabins of some of them and browse our well-stocked Aeroshop.”

A decision is expected by March next year on the museum’s application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a £1.5 million grant for this major development.

Having been given first stage approval and a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £62,000 museum chiefs are now preparing detailed hangar use proposals.