The grant will enable the trust to transform both Roman Vindolanda near Bardon Mill and the Roman Army Museum near Greenhead.

There are plans for the two forts to be better linked, with new galleries and an education centre to inspire the next generation of young archaeologists.

For the first time, a significant element of Vindolanda's collection will also go on public display.

In celebrating this award for the Vindolanda site and the Roman Army Museum, Linda Tuttiett, chief executive of Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd, said: "The close partnership that the Vindolanda Trust and Hadrian's Wall Heritage forged in preparing this successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid will stand us in good stead for the next phase of this Development.

"We intend to make Hadrian's Wall Country and the Roman Frontier the most exciting heritage destination in the UK.

"This opportunity will enable Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum to provide world class interpretation of Britain's earliest handwriting and multi-cultural nature of the Roman army in Britain, in addition to the wealth of detailed artifacts describing Roman life in Britain.

"The developments at Vindolanda will be a key component of our plans for the visitor experience along the full length of the wall, bringing the story of the north west Frontier of the Roman empire to life and exploring how Britain's experience as a Roman military province has affected all our lives over the millennia."

Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd is a not for profit company with responsibility for the co-ordination, protection, development and marketing of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site and the areas it passes through.

For more information about Hadrian's Wall visit www.hadrians-wall.org