VISITORS can soon capture a digital panoramic view of Halton from the rooftop glass observatory of a Widnes visitor attraction.

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum Trust Ltd has received a £47,400 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It will support an exciting project entitled panoramic observations: around Halton in 360 degrees.

A unique app will be developed for people to download onto their mobile phones or they can use devices which will be installed in the fourth floor gallery.

More than 30,000 visitors already come to Catalyst each year.

They will be able to explore a wealth of information about the heritage of Widnes and Runcorn at the touch of a button.

Catalyst chairman Bryan Davies said: “The ability to identify the many landmarks visible from this unique location will significantly enhance the visitor experience when exploring our observatory gallery.

“We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting our bid and enabling us to continue to upgrade the visitor attractions at Catalyst, particularly during the construction of the Mersey Gateway bridge.”

The bid was led by Catalyst trustees.

Schoolchildren, scouts, cubs, guides, brownies, families and groups of older learners from organisations such as U3A and the WI meet and arrange various activities at the West Bank venue.

Some uniformed groups even spend the night sleeping in the observatory.

The rooftop is set to attract tourists from all over the world as it becomes a visitor centre for the new Mersey Gateway.

People will be able to watch the construction of the iconic £1.6 billion tolled crossing take shape.

The observation gallery provides a bird’s eye view over the Mersey estuary where three giant pylons which will support the deck bridge will soon emerge.

Visitors can see cranes helping to build what has been described as the biggest engineering feat in the country and one of the world’s most innovative projects.