A NEW award for the Museum of Lancashire has been hailed by county council culture boss Marcus Johnstone.

It received a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from TripAdvisor after consistently positive reviews on its travel rating website.

Burnley West and Padiham’s Coun Johnstone is delighted the county’s flagship museum in Preston has been recognised.

He said: “Congratulations to the staff.

“It’s a superb attraction and it comes as no surprise to me that 93 per cent of visitors have rated the museum as very good or excellent.

“There are a number of very interesting events coming up at the museum in the next couple of months which I have every confidence will attract more positive reviews.

“In particular, I’d be keen to see the two World War One exhibitions, Somewhere in France and Outbreak 1914 – and let’s not forget the Silverdale Hoard which is on display for the rest of the year.”

Housed in the former Quarter Sessions House, the Museum of Lancashire is a gateway to more than 2,000 years of Lancashire’s history.

The museum was reopened in November 2011 after a £1.7million refurbishment project.