The £1.6 million project will see the existing small exhibition space redeveloped to create a modern museum to celebrate the life and achievements of Jim Clark, a double Formula One world champion.

The new museum 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.

The project is being taken forward by the council in partnership with Live Borders, The Jim Clark Trust and the Jim Clark Memorial Room Trust.

Funding has come from the council, 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 will continue to be operated by Live Borders.

The existing museum facility will be open until the end of May this year, including over the weekend of 7 and 8 April, when a programme of events has been prepared to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tragic death of the double Formula One World Champion. The museum will close on 31 May, with the new museum expected to open in late spring next year.

Councillor Euan Jardine, SBC’s executive member for culture and sport, said: “Thanks to the funding support from a range of partners this exciting project will provide a superb facility to highlight the remarkable achievements of Jim Clark to visitors from across the world and will be open in time for the tourist season next year.

“The Jim Clark Trust’s fundraising campaign attracted support from across the UK and far beyond, with donations large and small contributing towards their £300,000 total, and I’d like to thank the Trust and all their supporters for helping us make this project possible.

“The development of a high quality, modern museum in Duns to celebrate the life of Jim Clark, who is still considered amongst the greatest ever racing drivers, will bring visitors in from across the world and will be a fantastic boost to the local economy of Berwickshire and the wider Scottish Borders.”

The Jim Clark Trust, Club Lotus, Live Borders and Chirnside Common Good Association have collaborated to put together the upcoming weekend of events