A former Black Country crystal glass factory is to be redeveloped following a £1.8million Lottery grant.

The Heritage Lottery Fund cash will go towards the £3.6 million revamp of the Glasshouse in Stourbridge, the home to crystal glass making since the 17th century.

The former Royal Doulton factory in Wollaston Road houses the Glasshouse College, the Ruskin Glass Centre and the Glasshouse Arts Centre.

Glasshouse College said its plans, which include a visitor centre and workshops, would offer “great opportunities to work with the local community”.

The Ruskin Mill Educational Trust bought the buildings from Royal Doulton in 2000.

The organisation specialises in working with children and young people with learning and behavioural difficulties.

The Glasshouse said it hoped the lottery grant would help it to increase visitor numbers from 13,000 to 25,000 a year by 2015.