THIS is the first glimpse inside Blaenavon's £3 million flagship World Heritage Visitor Centre - the first of it's kind in the UK.

And today bosses confirmed it is scheduled to be up and running by early March, though local people will be invited to see the centre during a special series of previews within the next few weeks.

Blaenavon was awarded World Heritage Status in 2000 by UNESCO because of it's universal historical importance on the world stage.

It joined the ranks of the Taj Mahal, Galapagos Islands and The Great Wall of China which are also World Heritage Sites.

This centre will be the focal point for visitors and explain the heritage of the town.

The state-of-the-art facility combines an interactive exhibition hall, information rooms, an exhibition space, cafe and teaching rooms.

The centre was originally scheduled to be opened last year but delays were caused because of the complicated nature of the work involved in restoring the former St Peter's school site.

Evidence of bats was also discovered and provision had to be included to accommodate them in the refurbished buildings.

The exhibition hall is housed in the former lower school - a Grade II* listed building dating from 1815.

The rest of the site is in the Grade II listed upper school, dating from the mid 1800s.

The £3 million in funding was stumped up by the National Assembly, Lottery and Torfaen council.

Torfaen council's executive member for regeneration and local resident Neil Lewis said the history of Blaenavon was "a fantastic story, forged in blood sweat and tears".

"We're very proud of our industrial heritage and this centre is a fantastic achievement - it's the only one of its kind in the UK," he said.

As well as telling the story of Blaenavon it will draw the link to other World Heritage Sites and underline their importance.

Its manager Emyr Morgan said the WHVC would provide a unique experience for visitors.