The Royal Festival Hall was awarded a grant of almost £1 million to help restore and reinstall its organ at the auditorium's heart.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has confirmed £950,000 towards the final phase of work on the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall organ.

Work on the grade I-listed instrument will be undertaken by Harrison and Harrison Ltd - the company responsible for building and installing the organ in 1954 and which is storing most of its components in Durham.

Alan Bishop, chief executive officer of Southbank Centre in London, said: "I would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their significant contribution to the full restoration of the great organ of the Royal Festival Hall for the next generation.

"This is a major boost ahead our fundraising campaign, which we will launch in September, announcing how the public can also support the completion of the organ project."

The project is due to finish in 2013 at a total cost of more than £2 million.

It will see the organ put back in its original location at the heart of Sir Leslie Martin's concert auditorium in time for the organ's 60th anniversary celebration in 2014.

Conceived at the heart of the 1951 Festival of Britain, the organ, with 7,710 pipes, made a big impact with its open plan design and eclectic tone.

Monthly free recitals are also planned, in collaboration with the Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music.

Sue Bowers, head of the HLF for London, said: "We are delighted that the Royal Festival Hall will soon be complete and this amazing internationally important organ back in its rightful place for people of all ages to learn from, experience and enjoy."