One of maritime Greenwich's most famous landmarks is set for a revamp after a donor stepped in with the cash needed to fund the work. Reporter GLENN EBREY finds out more about the Royal Observatory's Time and Space project ...

PLANS to refurbish the 330-year-old observatory were given the go-ahead last week after businessman Peter Harrison pledged £3m to the project.

Around £12m had already been raised but Mr Harrison's donation means the work should be completed on time by spring 2007.

The Time and Space project includes a newly- refurbished, 120-seat planetarium which will be renamed the Peter Harrison Planetarium.

Education facilities will be expanded, with plans for five new galleries, an education centre and a science centre.

The revamp will also see the observatory's South Building, which is currently inaccessible to visitors, opened up to the public.

Visitor numbers at the observatory rose by six per cent last year, with 800,000 people from across the world passing through the gates of the historic site.

National Maritime Museum (NMM) director Roy Clare hopes the revamp will encourage even more people to visit.

He said: "The result of the project will be the most exciting and compelling series of galleries and experiences ever opened in London.

"We look forward to delivering a new range of services to the public."

The NMM set up the Universal Appeal Board to help secure the £15m needed to fund the revamp.

It consists of a host of leading astronomers, including Sir Patrick Moore, and is led by former TV newsman and keen stargazer Peter Snow.

Mr Snow says the project is one of the "most adventurous" in the observatory's history.

He added: "Our ambition is to create a spectacular new environment in which more and more people can appreciate the wonders of time and space."

Most of the money was successfully secured from a range of sources, including the Lottery Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The final £3m needed will come from the Peter Harrison Foundation, a charity run by the Cheshire-based businessman which provides grants for educational projects.

Mr Harrison says his decision to put up the cash was driven largely by his love of the stars.

He said: "The planetarium will provide a remarkable educational tool for generations of future visitors to Greenwich.

"It will enable them to see for themselves the sky and the heavens which have so often inspired me while navigating across the oceans."

HAVING A RIGHT ROYAL TIME

THE revamp of the observatory was given the royal seal of approval last Thursday when the Duke of Edinburgh visited Greenwich.

He met with NMM director Roy Clare and Greenwich mayor Councillor Paul Tyler to discuss proposals for the new-look observatory.

He then inspected and sealed a time capsule containing objects relating to past and present maritime Greenwich.

These included historical photos of the observatory, work done by schoolchildren and a copy of Our Final Century by astronomer Sir Martin Rees.

The capsule, which will be on show at the new site, will be opened in 10 years time on November 17, 2015.