THE NEW Forest Centre in Lyndhurst is changing its name.

The centre, which consists of a museum, a gallery, a library, an education service and a cafe, will become the New Forest Heritage Centre.

This is happening because of past confusion as to what the confusion does.

The centre’s website will also be updated.

Mary Montagu-Scott, chair of the New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust which runs the Heritage Centre said: “There has been confusion in the past as to what we do at the centre.

“Changing our name to the New Forest Heritage Centre makes our mission clear, to share the history of the New Forest with everyone.

“To tie in with the new name we have an updated website which is cleaner, simpler, and much easier to navigate.

“Operating as a charity, and because entry to both the museum and library is free, we are totally dependent upon donations from organisations, businesses and the public.

“By changing our name and launching a new website we hope to welcome more visitors into our heritage centre wishing to learn more about the New Forest: past, present and future.”

The New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust was founded in 1979 to commemorate 900 years since the creation of the New Forest by William the Conqueror.

Planning and fundraising led to the building a new museum for the public to find out the history and heritage of the New Forest.

2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the centre, which aims to help visitors explore and value the New Forest, by collecting conserving and interpreting their collections, and to provide educational activities and information.

The New Forest Heritage Centre’s current exhibition, which is in conjunction with the Commoners Defence Association, ‘Commoning Voices’ gives the public an insight into the New Forest Commoning Community, and its people, animals, knowledge, passion and skills.

Each year 222,000 visitors visit the centre.