Historians, journalists and just those of us who are nosey have just been given some of the most technological methods to search for information.

The new Devon Records Office in Exeter has just opened the doors of its new building, Great Moor House, to the public.

The new building will house all the records that were held in the original office in Exeter and has expansion possibilities for an estimated 20 years.

Records in Exeter have been kept since 1080's and houses all the records from Devon County Council and Torbay District Council.

This is one of the earliest county records - a copy of a letter from Sir Walter Ralegh about the stannaries, dated 1592.

It contains an amazing collection of historical documents including letters from George III and Lord Nelson, John Hoker's account of the battle at Clyst St Mary during the Prayer Book Rebellion, an unusual 17th century Will Book for the manor of Cockington and even weather reports for the period of the D-Day landings.

To help preserve the fragile records the building has what's been described rather exotically as 'passive environmental controls'.

Rather than using mechanical air conditioning units the specially built building will be regulated by a computer that looks after the

temperature and humidity and by the materials the building is constructed from.

The planning for the new site has been going on since the late 1990s.

"This is the culmination of seven years planning and construction," said Devon County Council Chairman, Councillor Mike Knight.

"Great Moor House combines documents dating from the 11th century with the latest in computer technology, and we hope to make it a centre of excellence for research and learning."

The massive Main Public Search Room at the Devon Records Office

For the council it's all about giving easy access to the 'customers' who are now taking advantage of the council's decision to remove the entrance charges that had been in place since the early 1980s.

"There has been a great upsurge of interest in local history, especially since the Millennium," said Councillor Knight.

"The old office, with its split site, often struggled to cope with demand. It is hoped that local historians, as well as family historians and others, will continue to beat a path to the door."

Of more national significance the council has agreed a deal with the Met Office to become the new home for the National Meteorological Archive.

The Archive houses a complete set of weather charts going back to 1867 and both private records from the early 18th century and weather reports from around the world.