Pupils mark centre's first phase

The new centre is due to open in autumn 2010

Children have laid down their own piece of history to mark the completion of the first stage of a new £8.2m archive centre in Carlisle.

Pupils from Petteril Bank Primary School created a time capsule which was buried at the nearby centre on Monday.

An official topping out ceremony to celebrate the completion of major works on the glass-fronted building in Petteril Bank followed.

Work is now to begin on the building's interior, which will open in 2010.

The capsule also contained a shield with Cumbria County Council's coat of arms and a scroll with gold-lettering commemorating the event.

Historical items

Roger Bingham, chairman of Cumbria County Council, said: "It is amazing how much progress has been made in such a short period of time.

"The people of Carlisle and north Cumbria can look forward to a state-of-the-art facility when it opens next year."

The new centre will showcase the history of the county, dating back to the 12th Century.

By autumn 2010 more than one million historical items will have been moved from the current archives office in Carlisle Castle to Petteril Bank.