AN HISTORIC building in the heart of York has won thousands of pounds of Lottery money, to celebrate its heritage with a new high-tech approach.

One of York's oldest and most powerful guilds is set to launch its Meet The Merchants exhibition at the Merchant Adventurers Hall, in Fossgate, in December.

The Company of the Merchant Adventurers has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of more than £38,000 to help set up the exhibition, which celebrates the guild's 650th anniversary in 2007.

The exhibition aimed at younger people and their families will incorporate state-of-the-art touch-screen technology, to give visitors an insight into the everyday working of the hall in mediaeval times.

David Thomas, audience development officer for the Merchant Adventurers, said: "We're delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has decided to support this work.

"Meet The Merchants will bring the Hall and the lives of the mediaeval Merchant Adventurers to life for all our visitors, especially young people."

The hall the finest of its age and type in Europe was completed in 1356 and has been used as a banquet hall, a chapel and a hospital, as well as the more expected market place.

In the 15th century the business side of the guild began to dominate its other purposes and in 1581 it was awarded a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I giving the guild a monopoly on all goods except fish and salt imported into York.

The guild was named the Company of Merchant Adventurers because of the risks and adventures members took with their own money in overseas trade.

The hall is a scheduled ancient monument and is listed Grade I. It is open to the public as a registered museum throughout the year.

In spring 2007, a series of music and drama events will be produced by local schools at the hall to mark its anniversary.

Fiona Spiers, regional manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "This delightful project is at the very heart of what caring for our heritage is all about.

"It is so important to get young people involved in the heritage that surrounds them by bringing it to life and making it relevant to them."