A museum trust has been awarded more than £1million to build a new home for an artist’s life's work.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the grant to The West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trust’s project to build an extension to its site in Pinner.

The £1.13 million will pay for the new structure in Memorial Park, and will tell the story of Heath Robinson’s life, with a gallery and activity room for schools and children.

Martin Verden, chairman of The West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trust, said: "We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has rewarded the trustees’ 15 years of hard work to turn West House into a community asset.

“There is a real public hunger to see Heath Robinson's work and learn more about his life. When you see his pictures he makes you chuckle – they are fun, and people come away feeling happy."

William Heath Robinson was a cartoonist and illustrator best known for his drawing of eccentric but logical contraptions. He lived in Paine's Lane, Pinner from the turn of the 20th century to the Second World War.

There will be two galleries at the museum, one with a permanent display of Heath Robinson’s work and another which will house four temporary exhibitions a year.

Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London Sue Bowers said: “Although his name has become synonymous with mechanical complexity or a ‘make do and mend’ mentality, many people today are unaware of the wry and affectionate humour of Heath Robinson’s cartoons.

“This project will introduce him, and the breadth of his talent, to new audiences while conserving a large collection of his work.”

However this is not the end of the work raising money for the museum, with the trust needing to raise a further £200,000.

During the past few months a campaign was started on the fundraising website Kickstarter offering Heath Robinson gifts in exchange for donations.

Those interested in donating to the cause can do so by going to https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/heathrobinsonmuseum