Revamp marks building's 700 years

Holy Jesus Hospital lies in the centre of Newcastle

A 700-year-old inner city building, which was home to monks and used as a hospital, is being given a new lease of life as a museum.

More than £800,000 has been spent on the Holy Jesus Hospital site in the centre of Newcastle.

The building was derelict for more than 10 years before being used as a base for a National Trust charity project.

The 13th Century site was being officially opened on Thursday as an interactive visitor attraction.

The Newcastle City Council-owned building has been refurbished with cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Tyne and Wear Partnership.

An exhibition will tell the story of the building, which was home to Augustinian monks as well as being used as a soup kitchen and a chemical factory.

There are also remains of the 16th Century fortifications connected with the Council of the North and a 17th Century almshouse built for the Freemen of the city.

The new exhibition will use touch screen computers and 3D models to take visitors through the building's long history of helping in the community.

Holy Jesus Hospital survived both world wars to become the John George Joicey Museum, celebrating the history of Newcastle before closing in 1992.