Aberdeen's new museum centre will open to the public this autumn, STV News can reveal.

Work on the Treasure Hub was completed earlier this month and it will welcome its first visitors in October.

Construction was expected to be finished in late 2014 and cost £3m but a series of delays have pushed the price up to more than £6m.

The Treasure Hub was scheduled to open by the time the Art Gallery closed for a £30m refurbishment in March 2015.

It would have held the city's art collection during the revamp - instead the council has paid art handlers Constantine more than £230,000 to look after it.

Councillors were warned as far back as 2009 that the lack of a place to store the collection in Aberdeen could delay work on the Art Gallery and push up costs.

When the gallery reopens in December 2017, the Treasure Hub will house artworks not on public display and hold exhibitions.

A council spokeswoman said: "The construction of the building is complete and interior work is under way.

"This includes the installation of shelving, office furniture and IT equipment.

"The city's collections will be sent to the Treasure Hub on a phased basis with a view to opening to the public in October."

Aberdeen City Council has committed £10m towards the cost of redeveloping the Art Gallery and another £10m has been contributed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The council has underwritten the final £10m using money which it intends to recover through donations from the public.

So far, the council has raised less than 10% of its target.