Hawick Museum in the Scottish Borders has completed its second phase of renovations.

New displays have been installed in areas of the museum unseen by the public for more than 20 years, such as the Founders’ Room, which now showcases a selection of objects and curios collected by the Hawick Archaeological Society.

A new wildlife display shows a small sample of animals and birds that can be seen living or passing through Wilton Lodge Park, and a new study console area provides space where volunteers can carry out research.

In phase one, which kicked off in 2004, access to the ground floor of the museum, parking and toilet facilities for visitors with disabilities were installed. These improvements were further developed in phase two, with the installation of a lift to enable full access to the first floor Scott Gallery – the largest exhibition space in the museum – to those unable to use the stairs.

Hawick Council’s in-house architects designed the development.

Shona Sinclair, curator of the museum, said: “It is fantastic that all our visitors can now visit the Scott Gallery, with the new display areas allowing us to show more items from the original museum collection which are normally kept in storage owing to lack of space.”