MUSEUM bosses are celebrating after finding out they have made it to the finals of Britain's biggest art awards.

Locomotion: National Railway Museum in Shildon is through to the last four in The Gulbenkian Museum of the Year 2005 competition.

The museum is up against the National Mining Museum of Wales, the Coventry Transport Museum and the Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life, in Norfolk.

The museum and Sedgefield Borough Council, who are partners in the venture, said it was great news, especially as it has only been open since September.

Coun John Robinson, the borough council's member for culture and education, said: "This is tremendous news. Locomotion has captured the imagination of the people not only in Shildon and the North-East, but visitors from all over the United Kingdon and indeed the world." Museum manager George Muirhead said: "We would like to thank the public who have shown overwhelming support for us by registering their votes on the Gulbenkian website and we would urge them to continue to do so in the run up to the final decision.''

If Locomotion wins it will receive £100,000 prize money which will be ploughed back into the museum. The winner will be announced in May.