'Critical' funding for Bletchley Park repairs

The money will pay for roof and road repairs at Bletchley Park

The World War II code-breaking hub Bletchley Park has been awarded £250,000 by the government for "critical" repairs.

The grant from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will allow the Bletchley Park Trust to tackle a variety of badly-needed works.

The money will pay for repairs to roofs and the resurfacing of pot-holes at the centre in Buckinghamshire.

German Enigma codes were cracked at the site which is now a dilapidated museum.

Simon Greenish, chief executive officer of the Bletchley Park Trust, said: "This enormously-appreciated funding boost will not only enable vital repair and maintenance... but it also represents endorsement by the DCMS that Bletchley Park is a place of national importance."

The Trust has started a campaign to raise £10m to revamp the site

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said: "The work carried out at Bletchley Park had a huge impact on the course of the war, and the museum does a brilliant job in bringing this alive for people of all ages.

"But having doubled its visitor numbers over the last three years, it urgently needs funds to keep it in good condition."

In October 2009 the trust was awarded nearly £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It is the first step towards a target of £10m to completely revamp the site and make it into a world heritage and educational centre.