WORK begins next week to transform a 200-year-old building back to its former glory in a living re-enactment of its early beginnings.

The Redoubt Fortress’s iron clad doors along Eastbourne seafront have now closed for the winter work - and it will reawaken in 2017 as a living museum.

Stripping back the sands of time along with decades of 20th century paint and masonry, the fortress will reveal its original Napoleonic incarnation, complete with barracks, kitchen and latrines, before reopening next March with costumed interpreters and interactive activities.

Annie Wills , Eastbourne Borough Council head of tourism and enterprise, said: "The Redoubt is the finest UK example of a Napoleonic fortress and it is only right that we return it back to its early beginnings to offer visitors a unique insight into life at this time.

"This will be a dramatic and exciting reawakening, making the museum much more authentic, immersive, hands on and fun for children."

From discovering the heinous crimes of the many past inhabitants in the creepy prison cells to lessons in the damp, cold schoolroom for Victorian children, life was certainly tough for its inhabitants in the 1800s.

A personalised ticket on arrival will allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of a real life Redoubt resident, to discover their role, the challenges they faced and their fate.

With uniform and kit to try on, audio-visual effects throughout the building will also be used to recreate the sights and sounds of a living fortress and create an immersive visitor experience.

Each visit to the fortress will reveal a new story, and a discovery room will allow children to try their hand at science, construction and creative fun.

Closed off areas will also be reopened, including some of the spooky stairs, caponiers inside the moat, and a peek through ‘tank cam’ will reveal a closer look into the eerie underground water tanks.

The fortress will continue with a lively programme of events, including the return of its spooky Twilight Ghost Tours after a sell-out success this year and a range of film screenings, each shown in a spectacular themed recreation of the original film set.