A NORTH-EAST museum has been recognised as one of the best in Europe at an awards ceremony in Brussels.

Discovery Museum, in Newcastle, was one of four in the UK to be nominated for European Museum of the Year, and the only attraction from the North-East.

The ceremony, which was held in the Hall of Mirrors at the Egmont Palace, Brussels, was attended by more than 200 representatives of museums from across Europe.

It was the culmination of a three-day event in which the achievements of Europe's best museums were celebrated and showcased in front of an invited audience.

A certificate was presented to Alec Coles, director of Tyne and Wear Museums, by Sir Neil Cossons, president of the European Museum Forum and former director of the Science Museum London.

Councillor Ged Bell, chair man of Tyne and Wear joint museums committee, said Discovery's nomination was "fantastic recognition" of its achievements.

He said the museum attracted more than 460,000 visitors last year, making it the North's most visited museum.

The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, from 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.