Works to redevelop and expand the Jim Clark Room in Duns will start this summer, with Hawick firm James Swinton & Co Ltd winning the contract for the works.

The £1.6 million project is being taken forward by Scottish Borders Council in partnership with Live Borders, The Jim Clark Trust and the Jim Clark Memorial Room Trust.

The existing Jim Clark Room closed at the end of May to prepare for the redevelopment works.

Councillor Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for culture and sport, said: “The new museum will be a fantastic facility which will do justice to Jim Clark and all he achieved in his tragically short life and will attract visitors from across the world.

“I look forward to visiting it when it opens next year, and I’m delighted that already this project is having a positive impact on the local economy, with a Scottish Borders firm winning the contract to carry out the redevelopment.”

Funding for the project has come from the council, the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and The Jim Clark Trust, the latter including a grant from the Fallago Environment Fund and individual donations from around the world.

The new museum, which will continue to be operated by Live Borders, will provide expanded exhibition space showcasing memorabilia and the trophy collection, two of Jim Clark’s race cars, new image galleries, film footage, interactive displays, technology and an education zone.

Ewan Jackson, chief executive of charity Live Borders, said: “The excitement and interest there is around this project is fantastic and the Live Borders’ team is very much enjoying working in partnership to offer a visitor experience that will inspire and attract Jim Clark fans, motorsport enthusiasts and tourists alike.

“Our newly appointed Learning and Engagement Officer has been busy behind-the-scenes with education and community high on the agenda, as mirrored across the Live Borders portfolio.”

Construction will begin in July and the new museum is scheduled to re-open in late spring 2019.