The latest stage in the transformation of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum is all set to begin after the award of nearly £2m by the National Lottery.

The futuristic Fieldhouse building, resembling the shape of a submarine on the surface of the sea, will enhance exhibition space at the Gosport memorial to the Silent Service, which at present has more artefacts than it can put on public display.

The £3.1m exhibition hall, named after the late Admiral of the Fleet who was the most senior submariner in Royal Navy history, will house the museum’s growing educational collection as well as X-craft HMS X24, which at present sits outside, exposed to the elements.

The Heritage Lottery Fund gave the museum £1,949,000, and supporters of the Gosport visitor attraction are raising the remaining £1m-plus to complete the project.

It is hoped the new building will be opened to visitors early next year, well in time for the 200th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Fieldhouse building will also house a lecture and corporate entertainment area and a science gallery, plus space for temporary exhibitions.

“The award is marvellous news for our museum,” said its director Cdr Jeff Tall.

“The Fieldhouse building will allow us to look after our precious wartime X-craft properly and add an essential educational resource.

“The modern submarine is the most complex machine built by man and we want our visitors of all ages to share the experience and to understand the importance of the sea to Great Britain.”