TWO museums in County Durham are celebrating after being included in the country's top five best temporary exhibitions.

The exhibitions in Durham and Barnard Castle were shortlisted for the best temporary or touring exhibition category in the national museums and heritage awards.

Magna Carta and the Changing Face of Revolt, held at Durham University’s Palace Green Library and Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal, at The Bowes Museum together attracted more than 100,000 visitors from across the globe and gained world-wide attention.

The Magna Carta exhibition featured the only surviving 1216 issue of the charter, on loan from Durham Cathedral, and other objects including the Bosworth Crucifix, gloves worn by Charles I to his execution, the trial record of Charles I, the 1689 Draft Declaration of Rights, and the Great Reform Act of 1832.

Dr Keith Bartlett, Director of Culture for the University said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious accolade. Magna Carta and the Changing Face of Revolt proved very popular with visitors from across the UK and the wider world and showed that culture can bring real benefits to Durham.”

Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal was the first retrospective of the designer’s work to be held in the UK and was curated in collaboration with the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent.

The awards evening, which is hosted by the Museums and Heritage Show, takes places in May.

Michelle Gorman, Chief Executive of Visit County Durham said: “For Durham to have hosted two of the five exhibitions shortlisted for this national award is a huge accolade and testament to the quality of the county’s cultural offer.

“Exhibitions such as these are hugely important to the visitor economy, helping to drive overnight stays and longer visits.”