Plymouth’s naval heritage centre could be about to move to the centre of the town, with talks about a move from the Devonport area into the new £21m historic and cultural centre already underway.

Speaking to local press, Devonport Naval Base’s Commodore Graham Little, said: “It’s absolutely imperative that Plymouth has a Royal Navy heritage museum.

“The Navy quite rightly has a museum in Portsmouth. We are working very closely with the city to look at how we can establish a similar facility in Plymouth.”

Plymouth Council has already committed £5m to the project, and is hoping £12.5m of Heritage Lottery Funding and £3m from other foundations will make up the shortfall.

The naval museum would be part of a larger History Centre, which would comprise five separate heritage collections under one roof.

Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, which is reached via Granby Gate in Devonport, is run by volunteers and is currently only open on special occasions and by appointment.

The new project will collaborate with Plymouth University, Plymouth College of Art, the Ministry Of Defence, the Register Office, the South West Film and Television Archives and the South West Image Bank Archive.