Gallery work almost finished

Construction at Wolverhampton Art Gallery will finish in two weeks. More than 60 workers have spent 18 months creating the stunning new £6.7 million triangular-shaped wing of the historic building.

It will house creations from Pop Art artists David Hockney and Andy Warhol.

Builders Sapcote and Sons will hand over the extension to gallery bosses by the end of the month.

Staff will then begin decorating and hanging pieces on the walls in time for the grand opening in March.

Zoe Papiernik, head of marketing and operations at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, said: "After 18 months of having builders and contractors working on site, we will be both excited and sad to see them leave.

"There has been some fantastic characters working on the building and the final result will be a great testimony to their skill and professionalism. They have created an amazing space."

Specialist contractors were brought in from across the world.

Miss Papiernik added: "It will be a big cause to celebrate when we are handed the keys and can then work towards fitting the new gallery out with fantastic exhibitions for the grand opening in March 2007."

The Lichfield Street gallery has been closed for the summer so builders could put the finishing touches on the new wing.

The existing gallery will reopen on October 23 as well as the updated Gallery Cafe.

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