THE new £11.1m Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre has finally opensits doors to the public tomorrow.

The facility, on Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, is the new home for hundreds of thousands of artefacts and paper records from across the county.

Building work started in June 2005 after Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council agreed to finance the scheme, which came in £500,000 under budget.

County council leader Jane Scott and Swindon borough leader Councillor Rod Bluh will officially openthe building tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

Coun Scott, said: "I am delighted to be opening this state-of-the-art facility that will enable people to find out more about Wiltshire's and Swindon's rich heritage.

"The new facilities not only safeguard this priceless collection of historic documents, but also helps make history more accessible."

The modern building, which is equivalent in size to five football pitches, has enough paper records inside to measure seven miles if they were all lined out.

Michael Marshmen, who works at the centre, said: "Considering the sheer amount of items we have had to move from the old centre in Trowbridge, everything has gone swimmingly with only a few minor set backs.

"I think people are genuinely excited about having all of Wiltshire's history right on their doorstep.

"All of the staff were extremely excited about the opening and we are looking forward to a long and prosperous future here in Chippenham."

As well as impressive record facilities, the building also houses temperature controlled storage facilities, a library, specialist research laboratories and a public search room.

Among the collections is an extensive range of documents relating to the Great Western Railway including photos, driver logs and receipts.

The temperature controlled archive rooms also hold 70,000 photographs, 2,600 microfilms, 3,000 maps and 18,000 books.

The centre also has a collection of more unusual items including a 400-year-old Ethiopian prayer book, a Scout log book with bark covers and a memorial card made by Swindon Town football club fans when they beat Arsenal in 1969.

The oldest record is a staggering 855-years old and has to remain in a special environmentally controlled tank.

For more information about the new centre call 01249 705500 or email Normal+dneYeartngd/priced".uk.