New funds have been secured to restore a house and garden said to have inspired the Peter Pan story and turn it into "Neverland".

Moat Brae House in Dumfries, which had fallen into disrepair, is to benefit as part of £1.35 million funding from Creative Scotland, which will see it become Scotland's first centre for children's literature.

Famous author JM Barrie spent time at the house and garden while attending Dumfries Academy in the late 1800s and he once described Moat Brae as "the genesis" of Peter Pan.

Almost £690,000 is to be spent on the project and the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust said it will enable it to "restore the house and the garden will be re-invented as JM Barrie's Neverland".

The trust estimates about £4.5 million is needed in total to complete the project, with £730,000 already having been invested on a new roof and making the building watertight.

Further funds will be spent on building a modern extension, visitor centre and the Neverland adventure garden.

Cathy Agnew, Moat Brae Trust project director, said: "To have news of this level of arts investment into Dumfries at the start of our capital campaign is fantastic.

"It is a great vote of confidence in the quality of our plans and designs to celebrate the birthplace of Peter Pan."

In its latest round of funding, Creative Scotland has also pledged £400,000 to support one of the UK's oldest cinemas in Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, and £260,000 on the creation of four public art commissions in the Highlands on the banks of the River Ness.

The A-listed 101-year-old Picture House was the longest-running cinema in Scotland until it closed last month and a number of public bodies have pledged money to try to get it operational again.

Jane Mayo, chair of Campbeltown Community Business, said: "The redeveloped Picture House will provide the local community and visitors with a magnificent historic cinema equipped to modern standards and complemented by new facilities.

"The programme of films and live relays of international quality cultural performances, together with activities based on the heritage of the building and the evolution of cinema, will allow the Picture House truly to become Kintyre's cultural and entertainment hub."

The Creative Scotland funding programme was created to support cultural facilities, refurbishments and equipment, and improve public access and enjoyment of the arts.

Creative Scotland's director of strategy Philip Deverell said: "The cultural infrastructure of Scotland will be boosted by these ambitious and inspiring projects which have been a number of years in fruition.

"Each is unique to their location, drawing on a range of inspirations whether historical, from the landscape or from the local community.

"Each will help to ensure that artists and audiences across Scotland can continue to present, access and enjoy a range of artistic and creative experiences."