CATALYST Science Discovery Centre will be opening their doors for free to National Lottery players on December 12 and 13.

The interactive centre in Widnes is one of 350 participating National Lottery funded visitor attractions across the UK to thank people who have raised money for good causes by buying a lottery ticket.

Catalyst received £47,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a digital interpretation project called Panoramic Halton.

These Panoramic Halton tablets can be borrowed from reception and used in the rooftop observatory gallery to discover more about the heritage of the area that you can see from the windows.

They contain a wealth of information, some video clips, archive photographs and a quiz that you can complete as you investigate!

Thanks to National Lottery players, Catalyst has also just received £60,165 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project called Catalyst. Past, Present, Future will begin in a few weeks time.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund said: "December is a wonderful time to experience the UK's rich, diverse and exciting heritage which has been transformed by more than £7 billion National Lottery funding since 1994.

“This is a small gesture of thanks and a way of giving something back to the people who buy tickets."

Any adult who presents a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard bought in December will be admitted to Catalyst free of charge between 10am and 3pm on December 12 or 13.

Visitors can explore three interactive galleries, borrow a Panoramic Halton Tablet from reception, view the art exhibition Crossings created by local artist Shaun Smyth and enjoy a snack and drink from the cafe with excellent views over the River Mersey and the new Mersey Gateway Bridge.

Visit catalyst.org.uk/event/national-lottery-thankstoyou-free-entry/ for more details.