Ipswich Museum's Wool-I-Am mammoth to get its own gallery thanks to grant from the Wolfson Foundation

A popular attraction attraction at the Ipswich Museum will get a gallery of its own thanks to a new grant.

The Wool-I-Am mammoth will become the centrepiece of its own space, bringing to life his prehistoric world, after a £110,000 grant was received from the Wolfson Foundation.

Wool-I-Am will be surrounded by a series of angular flats and plinths, depicting his homeland that will be animated using special effects.

The attraction will also recreate archaeological digs at Stoke Tunnel, with a crawl space to be built for children, allowing them to make their own discoveries through a range of sensory and tactile exhibits.

Other funding for the £8.7 million project includes £4.3 million from National Lottery Heritage Fund, £3.6m of Ipswich Borough Council funding, £40k from Friends of the Ipswich Museums.

£340k which will be raised through fund- raising with Trusts and other charitable foundations, plus £300k of various other including volunteer time.

Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Museums, said: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Wolfson Foundation.

"As well as providing an impressive backdrop for Wool-I-Am, this new gallery will look in detail at the human story and the long-term impact early modern humans had on other species, our environments and the planet.

"We are really looking forward to working with the people of Ipswich and our funding partners to inspire a new generation through the new stories we tell within Ipswich Museum.”