A project to revamp one of Birmingham's most-popular tourist and event destinations has taken a major step towards securing all the funding required to begin work.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded a grant of £9.07 million towards the regeneration of Birmingham Botanical Gardens which has taken it to 90 per cent of its target.
The grade II*-listed complex in Edgbaston, which is home to more than 10,000 botanic species, opened in 1832 and welcomes around 220,000 visitors and 25,000 school children every year.
The 15-acre site has four Victorian glasshouses which have previously been identified as being 'at risk' by government body Historic England and would have faced closure within two years, the gardens said.
They will be restored to reflect their original form and adapted to serve contemporary horticultural needs.
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The project, known as Growing Our Green Heritage and expected to take more than four years, will also provide a low-carbon, sympathetic reinterpretation of the existing gardens and structure.
Other planned work includes a new outdoor learning facility to host educational visits, an engagement and learning programme, a central courtyard for events and the removal of outdated buildings.
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The existing café will be reused to create a visitor welcome building and expanded café overlooking the gardens, a new reception and retail and plant sales area.
Plans were lodged with Birmingham City Council for the £19.4 million project in September and a separate grant worth £2 million was awarded in December by the Julia Rausing Trust, set up in memory of the late British philanthropist who died last year.
Financial support has also come from The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and other backers.
The gardens is now appealing to supporters for help in reaching its total fundraising target.
Chairwoman Sue Beardsmore said: "Our uniquely biodiverse natural environment is one of the 海角视频's most significant historic botanic gardens and part of Birmingham's and the West Midlands' richly diverse cultural history and way of life.
"This safe, peaceful space is part of the green heart of Birmingham and a hugely treasured place to the city, the West Midlands region and its communities.
"We are immensely grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for this unique opportunity to restore an important part of Birmingham's heritage, champion biodiversity and the environment and reconnect people with nature.
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"As we approach our bicentenary, we can now ensure that the gardens can be researched, shared and enjoyed by everyone for the next 200 years."
Liz Bates, Midlands director at The National Heritage Lottery Fund, added: "This transformational project will see this iconic Birmingham green space flourish anew, safeguard and redisplay their incredible living collection and deepen the connection between local people and their urban natural heritage.
"The widespread support Birmingham Botanical Gardens have gathered for their inclusive vision is a testament to their deep-rooted value in the community."