THE dawning of a new era for Stonehenge has been announced by English Heritage, who plan to give the historic site a £57m revamp.

Improving the access routes and dilapidated visitor centre are at the core of the plans revealed this week.

Once labelled as a "national disgrace" the funding package will transform the World Heritage site into an easy-access attraction.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has pledged £27m towards the project with the Government giving backing of at least £10 million.

A contribution of £11.7m will come from English Heritage while the balance will be raised by a fundraising appeal later this year.

The National Trust will organise funding for the landscape changes.

A multi-media visitor centre will incorporate two film theatres showing short films about the midsummer and winter solstices.

Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, said: "The importance of today's announcements cannot be underestimated. These funds are the key to reuniting an archaeological landscape rich with ceremonial monuments spanning over 10,000 years."

It is planned to close the existing A344 and create a 2km section of the A303 under the site in a tunnel.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said at the announcement that draft road plans should be complete by January 2003.